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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Discussion
Honey bees are in trouble due to many factors. The increased use of pesticides, particularly the nicotinoids which have been banned in some countries. Bees seem to do better in urban situations than near agricultural land, where they can collect a variety of pollens instead of the single pollens from monoculture. Another problem is the smaller gene pool due to queens bought from particular breeders, instead of the availability of wild swarms which would have lead to obviously lead to healthier stock years ago. The wax foundation bought for frames in the hive could be another problem, as I read that a cocktail of chemicals was found in the wax. As the wax in hives is melted down and re-used over and over this could be an on going problem. I wonder if it would be better to use the top bar system where the bees build their own comb? I also wonder about the sugar syrup and candy winter feed. As it isn’t organic, does it contain pesticide residue’s which could weaken the bees?. I am certainly no expert, but I think these questions should be addressed.
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!
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
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
Some interesting material on bees and CCD at Wikipedia, see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colony_Collapse_Disorder
well we get a lot of bumble bee types in our garden, at least ten or more in a range of colours, a short distance away in another garden is a lime tree and last year when in flower, which is starting now it was swarming with bumble bees.
when we walked up the lane next day there where dead bees every where below the tree.
I noticed that some of the live bees appeared to be as if drunk?!, then it became apparent what was going on.
a live bumble bee had a large wasp or hornet on its back, and the creature removed its head and flew off with it.
on close inspection all the dead bees where headless at least two hundred or more, I have never seen this action before, and hope not to see it again, we do of late have a number of hornets in the Tunbridge wells area and what I belive are wood wasps in a dark brown colour.
if this is repeated I will take photo’s and samples, regards Leon.
leon Arditti
28 June, 2010