Why Is This Happening?
The main cause of the CCD phenomenon is ultimately unknown, but several theories have been presented since right after their latest disappearance that may be on the right track.
Malnutrition
Wild honeybees fare much better than those kept commercially, having a more diverse selection of flowers to pollinate and enjoy nectar from. Bee colonies kept by beekeepers or for commercial purposes have a limited variety of plants to forage from, and they may suffer from nutritional deficiencies that have negative effects on their immune systems.
Malnutrition
Wild honeybees fare much better than those kept commercially, having a more diverse selection of flowers to pollinate and enjoy nectar from. Bee colonies kept by beekeepers or for commercial purposes have a limited variety of plants to forage from, and they may suffer from nutritional deficiencies that have negative effects on their immune systems.
Pesticides
With the disappearance of an insect species, pesticides are usually in the list of reasons why it happened. Beekeepers are especially concerned about nicotine-based pesticides, one of which - imidacloprid - affects insects in ways that "support" the symptoms of CCD.
With the disappearance of an insect species, pesticides are usually in the list of reasons why it happened. Beekeepers are especially concerned about nicotine-based pesticides, one of which - imidacloprid - affects insects in ways that "support" the symptoms of CCD.
Migratory Beekeeping
People who keep bees commercially often rent their hives to farmers, allowing them to earn more from pollination services than from honey production alone. The hives are often stacked onto trucks and relocated every few months; this is stressful on the bees, since a honeybee's orientation to its hive is vital to its life.
People who keep bees commercially often rent their hives to farmers, allowing them to earn more from pollination services than from honey production alone. The hives are often stacked onto trucks and relocated every few months; this is stressful on the bees, since a honeybee's orientation to its hive is vital to its life.
Lack of Genetic Biodiversity
Nearly all honeybees descend from one of several hundred breeder queen bees; this limited genetic pool could possibly degrade the quality of queens that are used to start new hives, resulting in honeybees that are more prone to disease.
Nearly all honeybees descend from one of several hundred breeder queen bees; this limited genetic pool could possibly degrade the quality of queens that are used to start new hives, resulting in honeybees that are more prone to disease.
Parasites and Pathogens
Of the known honeybee pests - such as American foulbrood and tracheal mites - there aren't any that are the cause of Colony Collapse Disorder in themselves, but it is suspected that the parasites make bees more susceptible to the phenomenon. Many think that a new, unidentified parasite or pathogen might be the cause of CCD; in 2006, a new species called Nosema ceranae was discovered in some colonies that showed symptoms of CCD.
Of the known honeybee pests - such as American foulbrood and tracheal mites - there aren't any that are the cause of Colony Collapse Disorder in themselves, but it is suspected that the parasites make bees more susceptible to the phenomenon. Many think that a new, unidentified parasite or pathogen might be the cause of CCD; in 2006, a new species called Nosema ceranae was discovered in some colonies that showed symptoms of CCD.
Climate Change
The rising of temperatures globally causes a chain reaction through an ecosystem. Abnormal weather patterns, which lead to warm winters, drought, and floods, ultimately affect flowering plants as well. Plants might blossom too early, before the honeybees can fly, or may not produce flowers at all, limiting a bee's nectar and pollen supply. Even if only in part, climate change could play a very big part in causing Colony Collapse Disorder. (Hadley, n.d.)
The rising of temperatures globally causes a chain reaction through an ecosystem. Abnormal weather patterns, which lead to warm winters, drought, and floods, ultimately affect flowering plants as well. Plants might blossom too early, before the honeybees can fly, or may not produce flowers at all, limiting a bee's nectar and pollen supply. Even if only in part, climate change could play a very big part in causing Colony Collapse Disorder. (Hadley, n.d.)