The Buzz Newsletter

August 2007

 

 

Page 8

FAQ’s
Colony Collapse Disorder

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This Frequently Asked Questions is posted on the Mid-Atlantic Apiculture Research and Extension Consortium website:
www.ento.psu.edu/MAAREC/index.html

The MAAREC is part or the entomology department at Penn State University. Their website states:

The focus of MAAREC research has been on the identification of alternatives to chemical controls and promotion of less reliance on chemical pesticides for mite control.

With the increased attention to CCD, MAAREC has also directed its research in this area. This FAQ and their website can serve as another source of information into the state of CCD.
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What is CCD? Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) is the name that has been given to the latest, and what seems to be the most serious, die-off of honey bee colonies across the country. It is characterized by, sudden colony death with a lack of adult bees in/in front of the dead-outs. Honey and bee bread are usually present and there is often evidence of recent brood rearing. In some cases, the queen and a small number of survivor bees may be present in the brood nest. It is also characterized by delayed robbing and slower than normal invasion by common pests such as wax moth and small hive beetles.

What causes CCD? Although there is much attention being given to this situation, it is not yet clear what is causing the die-off. From two intensive surveys of many of the beekeepers involved, some potential causes have been eliminated (see below) and others have been identified as important to investigate (see below). However, at this point it does seem likely that a number of factors may be involved.

Who is being impacted? As of February 2007, many of the beekeepers reporting heavy losses associated with CCD are large commercial migratory beekeepers, some of who have lost 50-90% of their colonies. Surviving colonies are often so weak that they are not viable pollinating or honey producing units. Losses have been reported in migratory operations wintering in CA, FL, OKand TX. However, late in February some larger non-migratory beekeepers, particularly from the mid-Atlantic region and the Pacific Northeast have reported significant losses of >50%.

When was it first discovered and how long has it been going on? The first “report” of CCD was made in mid-November 2006 by a Pennsylvania beekeeper overwintering in Florida. Soon after the initial report, other migratory beekeepers reported heavy losses of colonies under similar circumstances. In subsequent conversations with beekeepers from across the country, it appears that a number of large beekeepers have been discovering higher than normal losses compared to the past few years (although heavy overwintering losses were reported in 2003-2004 for many northern beekeepers). These losses may or may not be related to CCD, but it is likely that there may be some relationship.

Is honey from CCD colonies safe to eat? To date there is no evidence that CCD affects honey. The impact of CCD appears to be limited to adult bees.

The beekeeping industry has experienced heavy losses of colonies in the past. Is this something new? Symptoms similar to CCD have been described in the past, and heavy losses have been documented. The condition has received many different names over the years including autumn collapse, May disease, spring dwindle, disappearing disease, and fall dwindle disease. Whether or not the current die-off is being caused by the same factors that caused heavy losses in the past or if new factors are involved is not yet clear.

Why is it called Colony Collapse Disorder rather than disappearing or spring/fall dwindling/disease? References to the season are inappropriate as there are increasing reports that the condition manifests itself throughout the year. “Dwindle” implies a gradual decline of colony population whereas we are seeing a rapid collapse. While the actual rate of adult bee loss in populations have not been recorded, it is clear that otherwise strong colonies can quickly lose their entire workforce in a matter of a few weeks or even a few days. “Disappearing” has been used to refer to a host of other conditions that do not necessarily share the same symptoms as those presently being described. The term “disease” is commonly associated with a pathogenic agent. While the definition of disease does have a broader meaning (i.e. coronary disease), until (or if) such an agent is found the use of the word “disease” would be misleading. Should a biological or other agent(s) be isolated as the cause, the name of this condition will likely be reconsidered.

How do I know if a colony has CCD? Colonies impacted by CCD have the following characteristics:
• The complete absence of adult bees in the hive, (in some cases the queen and a small number of survivor bees are present in the brood nest) with no or little build-up of dead bees in the hive or at the hive entrances.
• The presence of capped brood.
• The presence of food stores, both honey and bee bread, which is not immediately robbed by other bees. Invasion of common hive pests such as wax moth and small hive beetle is noticeably delayed in dead-out equipment left in the field.

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