A recent study showed a dramatic decline of the number of bees’ across the planet. In some areas, as much as 90 percent of the bee population has disappeared in the last few years. While that may be an anomaly, bee colonies have been dying off for many years now. In a 6-year period leading up to 2013, more than 10 million bee colonies across the world were lost, often to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). CCD was labelled the scourge to bees everywhere.
This disorder isn’t a new thing however, it has been occurring throughout history and has gone by many other names such as, Disappearing Disease, Spring Dwindle, May Disease, Autumn Collapse and Fall Dwindle Disease. The syndrome was renamed to Colony Collapse Disorder in 2006. In 2015 the prevailing thought was that the threat assigned to CCD seems to be diminishing. And the world went on to look for other reasons why bees were still dying off in staggering numbers.
Effects of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD)
Australian scientists believe that CCD is caused by stress to bees from multiple factors. Such as chemical exposure from pesticides, pests, deforestation and poor food quality. If any or a combination of these factors kills too many forager bees at once. This rapid die-off then can trigger a rapid maturation of the next generation and prompts them to leave the hive to forage before they would normally be ready. Bees then start to forage when they’ve been adults for less than two weeks which makes them under preform. They take longer, they complete fewer trips and die earlier. This then triggers a vicious cycle, whereby subsequent generations of inefficient foragers could not return enough resources to keep the colony going, leading to its collapse.”
Additionally, many beekeepers are using artificial means to increase honey production. Whether they are trying to stave off diseases, pest and/or weed management, the long term results can be disastrous to bees. Another common concern is that bees raised by some commercial beekeepers can’t survive in the wild any longer. They are becoming incapable of looking after themselves in some cases.
Regardless of the reason for bees dying off, it isn’t good for the planet……..and by that I mean us.