An Empty Hive

BeekeeperHive

Evidence of domesticated honeybees has been found throughout the ancient world, beehives were made from hollow logs, wooden boxes, pottery and straw baskets called skeps.

Photo Courtesy of Wendy Booth, Beekeeper New Hampshire Beekeepers Association

The symptoms of Colony Collapse Disorder can be hard to determine. The fact is honeybees face a great deal of hardships in their daily lives. From chemicals to parasites, honeybees have already had a hard time with survival. This can make it difficult to identify whether bee losses are from common causes (such as pests) or something more mysterious, like CCD.

BeeSmoke

Above, a beekeeper using a smoker to calm the honeybees when opening the hive. It was not until the 18th century that bees were studied scientifically.

Photo Courtesy of Dan O'Hanlon Beekeeper, Newsletter Editor, Webmaster, West Virginia Cabell Wayne Beekeepers Association

From the interviews with beekeepers in the United States, some really do not know for sure if their colonies have disappeared from CCD or if it is other factors influencing a disappearance. Despite this, half of the United States have reported loss from Colony Collapse Disorder. There are recommendations for beekeepers though, to minimize or prevent loss. Read on to see what beekeepers can do about Colony Collapse Disorder.

In our search for information on the states affected by CCD, we came upon a map. When contacting the Midwest Beekeeper Magazine to get permission for the photo, we found out some interesting information from beekeeper Rob Green. The map depicts over half of the United States as affected by CCD. Mr. Green had some cautionary views about this:

I don't believe it's accurate [the map].

First of all, I just confirmed with the Dept of Natural Resources that we have had no confirmed cases of CCD in Indiana, yet the state is colored red. Does that mean that the people who have it don't want the DNR to know? Or perhaps they have reasons for wanting to turn the state red on the map.

There are some real problems with data collection. Most of the surveys are anonymous surveys taken over the Internet. The survey asked for symptoms, but the official symptom list of CCD has been published, and there are people who think if they get their state colored, it may create a situation of state aid -- government handouts -- to beekeepers.

While the problem of CCD is heartbreaking for those who encounter it, I believe the extrapolation of the numbers (things like "30% of ALL THE BEES IN AMERICA") has created bogus assumptions. It's not unusual for statistics to become meaningless, and it might do well for you guys to research the types of errors that occur with statistical analysis, and include that in your report.

CCD seems to be very, very contagious... which leads many of us to suspect that pathogen (disease or parasite) is involved, but it appears to be more than that... possibly many pathogens combined (or some combined with) toxins from pesticides, toxic pollen, etc.

So far, there are no solid answers as to the cause of this malady. The researchers are quick to say it affects hobby beekeepers and organic beekeepers, but I suspect the sheer contagion factor means if any of your bees are from an afflicted beekeeper, or visited an afflicted colony, even once, then the practices of the hobby or organic beekeeper may be irrelevant.

There might be parallels to some of the diseases that used to run rampant in the US. You might want to research the cholera epidemics, the polio epidemics and the smallpox epidemics. Even healthy people fell immediately sick and many died. It didn't just affect people who were poor or sickly.

And it could be related to one other practice. Routine requeening using queens produced by a relative low number of breeders has narrowed down the diversity in the genetic pool of honeybees. Believe it or not, you can research the Irish potato famine, to find out how a lack of genetic diversity causes widespread and total devastation from a pathogen that has tailored itself to fit the exact genetic codes that are becoming so common.

This state, Indiana, is lucky to have a no cost apiary inspection service. Other states, like Michigan, have nothing. In the case of a problem in this state, it's appropriate to call the inspection service. Then the risk of misdiagnosed causes is minimized.


References
CCD: University of Florida	Mid-Atlantic Apiculture: CCD
ARS: Genetic Survey	Guard Bees
Beekeeping History