Update on Bee Colony Collapse Disorder
Pesticides, Monoculture, Parasites and Viruses All Have Roles in CCD
Apr 9, 2009
Based on what has been learned to date, it appears that bees may be weakened by limited food sources and/or disoriented by neonicotinoid pesticides, resulting in lower resistance viruses and parasites. A multifaceted approach to bee health is needed to reverse the declines caused by colony collapse disorder(CCD).
US Research into Bee Colony Collapse Disorder
In the April 2009 issue of Scientific American, entomologists Diana Cox-Foster and Dennis van Engelsdorp, two members of the US task force attempting to determine the cause of bee colony collapse disorder, reported on what is and isn’t known about bee colony collapse disorder to date.
Since early 2007 they have been looking into the role of parasites including the varroa mites and nosema apis fungi, as well as the neonicotinoid pesticides,and viruses such as the Israeli Acute Paralytic Virus, all of which were leading suspects in colony collapse disorder.
At this point the parasites and pesticides have been ruled out as primary causes but they are implicated as possible contributing factors. Some 170 different chemicals have been found in hives in the US, making it difficult to determine the specific role of the neonicotinoid pesticides in bee colony collapse disorder, but the researchers admit the potential role these chemicals may play in weakening bees, increasing their susceptibility to disease.
European Nations Ban Neonicotinoid Pesticides
The European Union is working toward stricter management of neonicotinoid pesticides. France was the first to ban imidacloprid, one of the neonicotinoids, which has been shown to affect honeybee communication and navigation. Use of imidacloprid on sunflowers there has been prohibited for at least ten years, long before CCD was recognized as an international problem. Italy, Slovenia and Germany followed suit in 2008.
In the UK, Co-op, a major supermarket chain, which is also the UK’s largest farmer, banned its suppliers from using neonicotinoids beginning in 2009. But, in recognition of the likelihood of other factors being involved in bee colony collapse disorder as well, Co-op is investing in further research into bee declines.
The Role of Habitat Degradation in Bee Colony Collapse Disorder
The US researchers also expressed concern regarding limited food sources for bees, citing declines in many wild pollinating species including bats, hummingbirds, bees and other insects. They noted the importance of conservation lands where wildflowers are restored and protected as an important step in improving the health of all pollinating species.
In the UK Co-op is working in partnership with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) to encourage bee friendly gardening through the ‘Homes for Wildlife’ campaign. The campaign includes distributing wildflower seeds and raising awareness of the effect that monoculture has not only on bee colony collapse disorder but also on declining songbird populations.
While Europe focuses on the role of pesticides and the US pursues the Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus aspect, everyone is in agreement that improving habitat will result in improved bee health, which may be the key to stopping colony collapse disorder, whatever underlying causes are found.
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