Colony Collapse is not New, just with a modern spin.

Colony collapse or disappearing bees has been noted since the mid to late 1800's however just isolated. From the USDA's website :

"There have also been unusual colony losses before. In 1903, in the Cache Valley in Utah, 2000 colonies were lost to an unknown "disappearing disease" after a "hard winter and a cold spring." More recently, in 1995-96, Pennsylvania beekeepers lost 53 percent of their colonies without a specific identifiable cause."
A link to the full page : http://www.ars.usda.gov/News/docs.htm?docid=15572

With global trade and an interstate freeway system that moves bees all across the country pollinate various crops as they bloom. Just as when one kindergartner gets the sniffles the whole class will get it and then they bring it home, the same can be true with bees. Honeybees already stressed by travel through several different climates and forced to forage on one crop, will not be as strong to fight off any disease. Keeping your honeybees immune system strong will be the key to minimizing the effect of CCD. Traveling into areas with pesticides and genetically modified crops made to be poisonous to pests (though they don't discriminate against good and bad insects) weakens even healthy bees and compromises the immune system. Any disease in the area will then spread like wildfire.

To manage this problem we need to rethink industrial agriculture and look to smaller local solutions, and focus on the overall health of an agricultural region not just in terms of an individual farm that is organic.

Colony Colapse Disorder not affecting Africanized Bees

From what I have been hearing, bees in South America that are Africanized (killer bees as the press likes to say) have not had the problem with Colony collapse disorder. Africanized bees do not have the same problems that we have with mites, they are mite resistant, build strong colonies quickly and are great honey producers. The only caveat is that they are extremely aggressive, beekeepers can work with them but only in full bee suits. What strikes me is that they are mite resistant, mites carry a number of diseases which one is probably CCD. Africanized bees would not lend themselves well to pollenation especially in populated areas, farm hands and passers by could fall victim to their aggresive ways. But if we continue to lose bees modern industrial agriculture may need to "bite the bullet" and look into this option.

The myth of organic beekeeping.

Often I get the question "is the honey organic" Unlike other agricultural products bees can't be limited to a certain area since they fly up to 3 miles or more to forage. Organic cattle, sheep, chickens and other certified organic livestock can be easily kept on one plot of land, this is not true of bees. The bulk of commercial beekeeping is done in agricultural areas which can be problematic since these are the same areas where pesticides are use and other chemicals. Another issue is pollination. Pollination is where commercial beekeepers really make there money and pollination is what we depend upon to increase crop yields and keep reasonably priced produce coming to market. The issue is how healthy is this for the bees and are there any implications. The bees are feasting upon a mono nutrient. Lets say orange blossom or almond blossoms; for those who have seen the movie "supersize me" we know how healthy it is to eat one type of food. I believe that unlike in nature where there is a diversity in forage, that industrial agriculture is contributing to colony colapse disorder which is probably a disease that has been around for over 100 years but has reappeared recently due to bees with compromised immune systems. The image that is exploited and marketed by organic labling is that the product is naturally produced. How natural is 1000 acres of oranges, apples, almonds etc.. Even if the farms are certified organic it is still not what you find in nature like the organic image connotates.

A good article on the subject can be found at : http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/394198_honey31.asp

The Enigma of Colony Collapse Disorder

Colony collapse disorder is a fancy term for when a beehive just disappears. The bees fly off and aren't seen again nor are there dead bees left in the hive signifying disease or another affliction. While there have been isolated accounts of this happening for over a century it is hitting certain States in epidemic proportion. It wipes out thousands of hives in a few days. This isn't just a beekeeper or agricultural issue but will affect all of us. No bees, no pollination; NO POLLINATION, NO PRODUCE. Some parts of the country already pay $3.00 for a gallon of gas, imagine paying $10 a lb for apples or oranges. Entomologists still aren't sure what is causing this, but we all must be vigilant in making sure that this problem gets the attention that it deserves by the government and media. Whatever the cause, Colony Collapse is here and the solution to it won't be helped by pesticides. Support organic agriculture and avoid pesticides when you can.

Use the Custom search engine below to find scholarly information on Colony Collapse Disorder and other bee issues from major Universities and Government.