Bees and CCD
Bees are important members of both urban and rural ecosystems – they are important pollinators. Not only do they pollinate millions of hectares of fruit trees (such as apples) and other crops, but they are busy in our gardens, in our fields and woodlands enabling an enormous variety of plants to pollinate and set seed, completing their life cycle. However, there is a growing number of reports that the number of bees is falling and hives are empty.
In the United States, some 24 States have reported a dramatic decline in bee numbers which is threatening the production of crops as varied as avocados, kiwi fruits and almonds. The drop in numbers has been termed ‘colony collapse disorder’ or CCD.
CCD is said to have occurred when the occupants of a hive disappear leaving just the queen, the eggs and a few (immature) workers (and these are often infected with various pathogens). As yet no one knows what is responsible for the empty hives, though suggestions have varied from viruses, mites, fungi, GM crops, pesticides and radiation (from mobile phones). It is possible that the later interferes with the bees’ navigation mechanism.
If you would like to encourage bees (or other wildlife) in your garden, then a visit to English Nature’s ‘Gardening with wildlife in mind’ or Direct Gov ‘greener garden’ pages might be useful.
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4 comments so far
Lewis
16 May, 2007
Some interesting material on bees and CCD at Wikipedia, see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colony_Collapse_Disorder
Chris
18 May, 2007
Here’s a report that suggests some bees are having problems with hive beetles and a yeast
http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2007/05/18/hives_ferment_a_yeasty_brew_attract_beetle_pest.html
catherine
20 September, 2007
There was a programme about CCD in the States on the Food Programme on Radio 4 a while ago.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/factual/foodprogramme_20070708.shtml
BestBeekeeping
16 November, 2009
The importance of honey bees as pollinators cannot be overstated, and there is no doubt that colony collapse disorder (whatever the cause) is real and spreading throughout the world.
As individuals, we really can make a difference by making our gardens insect friendly, and by keeping one or two beeshives ourselves. Not only will this do a service to bees, but it is also incredibly rewarding, and the honey is delicious!