Disappearing Bees

Class:
_____________________________________ Name: _____________________________________
Global Issues – Disappearing Bees

Introduc)on
In recent decades, honey bees around the world have
suddenly and mysteriously disappeared. Bees are key to food
produc?on because they pollinate crops. Up to one-third of the
food that people eat depends on natural insect pollina?on.
Catastrophic loss of honey bees could have a significant impact on
the world.
What is Colony Collapse Disorder?

Beginning in the early 21st century, abnormally high die-offs
(30–70% of hives) of European honey bee colonies have occurred in
North America. These die-offs have since been named “colony
collapse disorder.”
A History of Colony Collapse Disorder
While there have been limited occurrences resembling colony collapse disorder documented as
early as 1869, the rate of colony collapse disorder has increased sharply in the 21st century.
From 2008-2013 in the United States, more than 10 million beehives were lost, oYen to colony
collapse disorder, which was nearly twice the rate of normal loss. AYer a 23% drop in the bee popula?on in
the winter of 2013, the Environmental Protec?on Agency formed a task force to address the issue.
Most European countries have observed a
phenomenon similar to the United States, including Belgium,
France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal,
Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. For example,
since 2010, the United Kingdom has lost 45% of its
commercial honey bees.
In 2011, a report from the United Na?ons
Environment Programme revealed that declines in bee
colonies were now being seen in countries such as China,
Egypt, and Japan, making the collapse of honey bee colonies a
global phenomenon.
Signs of Colony Collapse Disorder

Colony collapse disorder is not the only issue that can
harm bee colonies. Other issues faced can include the health of
the queen, varroa mite infesta?ons, poor nutri?on, and various
diseases.
Colony collapse disorder is suspected when a number of
factors are present together, including: few adult bees in the
colony, few, if any, dead bees near the hive, the presence of a
queen bee, the presence of food, and the presence of young
that have not hatched.
Possible Causes of Colony Collapse Disorder
The exact causes of colony collapse disorder remain uncertain, but many causes are being
considered, including:
•  Pes$cides – scien?sts have long been concerned that pes?cides may have adverse effects on bees,
perhaps not immediately killing them, but impairing their judgment and behavior.
•  Varroa mites – the Varroa mite is the world’s most destruc?ve honey bee killer, due in part to the
viruses it can carry. Varroa mites have been considered as a possible cause of colony collapse disorder,
but not all dying colonies contain the mites.
•  Fungicides – recent research has shown that fungicides, once thought harmless to bees, may play a
significant role in colony collapse disorder.
•  Climate change – environmental changes may affect honey bee development, but the precise impact is
unknown.
•  Bee rentals and migratory beekeeping – moving bee colonies around the country to help pollinate crops
may help spread viruses and mites. Such movement may also strain and disrupt en?re hives.
•  Malnutri$on – one study has indicated that the only factor that all cases of colony collapse disorder had
in common was a period of extraordinary stress, commonly involving poor nutri?on and/or drought.

Other factors that have been studied include loss of habitat, air pollu?on, Israeli acute paralysis virus, the
fungus Nosema, selec?ve commercial breeding and loss of gene?c diversity, an?bio?cs, electromagne?c
radia?on, and more.

Can Colony Collapse Disorder be Prevented?
Scien?sts’ sugges?ons to reduce or prevent colony
collapse disorder include:
•  Elimina?ng exposure to pes?cides with the poten?al
to harm bees can protect both managed and wild
bees.
•  Farmers and landowners can be offered incen?ves to
restore pollinator-friendly habitats.
•  Organic farming without pes?cides or fer?lizers has
been shown to benefit pollinators.
•  More funding can be provided to research and
develop improved farming prac?ces.
Ques)ons
1. In your opinion, what would you say is likely to be most responsible for colony collapse disorder? Why?
I would say it would be Malnutrition

2. What can be done on an individual level to help prevent colony collapse disorder?

Start feeding the bees real foodddddddddddd!

3. Do you think it would be feasible for people to pollinate crops by hand? Why or why not?

Yes, I think it is very possible because if we can make

Disappearing Bees

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Disappearing Bees

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Class:

_ Name: _

Global Issues – Disappearing Bees

What is Colony Collapse Disorder?

Signs of Colony Collapse Disorder

You might also like