Solving the Mystery of the Vanishing Bees

[progressoid]

Solving the Mystery of the Vanishing Bee
The mysterious ailment called colony collapse disorder has wiped out large numbers of the bees that pollinate a third of our crops. The causes turn out to be surprisingly complex, but solutions are emerging


Our collaboration has ruled out many potential causes for CCD and found many possible contributing factors. But no single culprit has been identified. Bees suffering from CCD tend to be infested with multiple pathogens, including a newly discovered virus, but these infections seem secondary or opportunistic much the way pneumonia kills a patient with AIDS. The picture now emerging is of a complex condition that can be triggered by different combinations of causes. There may be no easy remedy to CCD. It may require taking better care of the environment and making long-term changes to our beekeeping and agricultural practices.

Even before colony collapse, honeybees had suffered from a number of ailments that reduced their populations. The number of managed honeybee colonies in 2006 was about 2.4 million, less than half what it was in 1949. But beekeepers could not recall seeing such dramatic winter losses as occurred in 2007 and 2008. Although CCD probably will not cause honeybees to go extinct, it could push many beekeepers out of business. If beekeepers' skills and know-how become a rarity as a result, then even if CCD is eventually overcome, nearly 100 of our crops could be left without pollinators and large-scale production of certain crops could become impossible. We would still have corn, wheat, potatoes and rice. But many fruits and vegetables we consume routinely today such as apples, blueberries, broccoli and almonds could become the food of kings.
...

In other words, the bees were all sick, but each colony seemed to suffer from a different combination of diseases. We hypothesized that something had compromised the bees' immune system, making them susceptible to any number of infections that healthy colonies would normally fend off. And Hackenberg was right: the prime suspects, varroa mites, were not present in numbers significant enough to explain the sudden die-off.

In the spring of 2007 our task force began detailed, countrywide surveys of all aspects of colony management, interviewing operators who had encountered CCD as well as those who had not. These and subsequent investigations ruled out several potential causes. No single beekeeping management method could be blamed. Large commercial beekeepers were as likely to suffer from high losses as were small operations or hobbyists. The symptoms affected stationary beekeepers as well as migratory ones. Even some organic beekeepers were affected.

...

A vaccine or cure for bee viruses and IAPV specifically would be desirable. Unfortunately, vaccines will not work on honeybees, because the invertebrate immune system does not generate the kind of protection against specific agents that vaccines induce in humans and other mammals. But researchers are beginning to pursue other approaches, such as one based on the new technique of RNA interference , which blocks a virus from reproducing inside a bee's cells. A longer-term solution will be to identify and breed virus-resistant honeybees. Such an effort could take years, though, perhaps too many to avoid having a large number of beekeepers go out of business.

Meanwhile many beekeepers have had some success at preventing colony loss by redoubling their efforts at improving their colonies' diets, keeping infections and parasites such as varroa and nosema in check, and practicing good hygiene. In particular, research has shown that sterilizing old beehive frames with gamma rays before reusing them cuts down the risk of colony collapse. And simple changes in agricultural practices such as breaking up monocultures with hedgerows could help restore balance in honeybees' diets, while providing nourishment to wild pollinators as well.

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=saving-the-honeybee




Dang,I was sure that cell phones would be to blame. :eyes:

[T Wolf]

1. As we continue to destroy "unimportant" sectors of the environment, things will get worse.

What about the term eco-SYSTEM do they not understand?

[MADem]

2. I'm glad they're starting to get a handle on this. It's important. nt

[sinkingfeeling]

3. I really hope they get this under control. I had bee keepers come and rip off a part of my porch

roof (built in 2006) last year to get out about 50,000 honey bees.

[babydollhead]

4. kick.

i love bees. no bees, no pollination...no food, no life. Did you ever see the people pollinating Chinese pears with two feathers?

[progressoid]

5. Good grief, that's a lot of bees!

[Catshrink]

6. Which repug was whining about the "pork" of studying honeybees?

I think it was McCain -- my own idiot. Ranks right up there with criticism of monitoring volcanoes.

Why are repugs so anti-science?

[BlancheSplanchnik]

22. they're incredibly short-sighted, it seems.

lacking ability to imagine anyone else's experience other than their own immediate experience...

and incapable of the flexibility to accept and look for the highest possible good amidst gray areas and large pictures, diverse components.

I think.

[rosesaylavee]

7. I think what is needed is more hobby beekeepers.

We need beekeepers who tend 2 to 20 hives in backyards and farmyards. Good news - beekeeping is becoming more popular here in the Chicago area. Retook a beekeeping class out here in the suburbs that I first attended in 2007. Went from 10 students to 22.

My bees are very fine and very busy this spring. Getting another hive box to replace the one I lost due to my being a novice beekeeper failing to prevent a swarm my first year.

Bees are much easier than most people would think. I have only been stung once and that was my own fault. The 'girls' are very gentle and are really more interested in getting past you to the flowers than wanting to sting. They sting you, they die. Not at all a good outcome for them.

[Gregorian]

8. Great idea! Thanks. I am going to look into this.

I've got all the room in the world for it. And I really am looking for things to do with my property, and my life. Haha.

[bvar22]

9. 3 recommendations:

1)Check with your County Extension
They are a good resource for the latest information.
Some areas have local ordinances that apply to transportation, location, and inspection of Bee Colonies.
We have never voluntarily registered anything with the government. We made an exception for our Bees. The benefits outweigh the downside.
Most County Extensions offer classes on BeeKeeping.


2) Join your local BeeKeepers Association.
There is probably one near you. They are a great resource for knowledge about local problems, honey flows, and disreputable operators.
You may even get some free localized bees.
Healthy colonies expand, and some keepers have all they want and are happy to give their surplus to a good home. Your local group will enable you to gain some experience handling bees. Make no mistake, it is SCARY opening a hive for the first time. Better to do so with an experienced BeeKeeper.
Beekeepers are some of the most Laid Back people you will ever meet. WE are not joiners, but we look foreword to our monthly meeting with the Bee People.

3)Always use NEW equipment
There are some very persistent diseases that can be transmitted through contaminated equipment.
New Equipment is very reasonable, or build your own. It is not difficult. Plans are all over the InterNet.
Used Equipment abounds, and will be offered to you for free if you join your local Beekeepers Association. We always politely turn it down.


Good Luck.
Small Scale Bee Keeping does not require a lot of time.
Bees are very good at taking care of themselves. They've done so for thousands (millions?) of years.
It is usually best to just leave them alone, but occasionally, domestic bees need some help.

We are totally fascinated by our bees. The more we learn, the more fascinated we become.
These are incredible creatures, and the internal operation of the colony is mind boggling.




http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=280&topic_id=34941

[rosesaylavee]

14. Great response!

And wonderful pics! Do you keep bees or just starkraven?

[bvar22]

21. I'm the "assistant" BeeKeeper.

The Bees were Starkraven's project from the beginning.
She occasionally comes up with good ideas, and this one turned out to be a great one.
Though I work the hives with her, she deserves all the credit.
Neither of us had any previous experience, but we managed to muddle through on good intentions and hardy bees.
It was only after we had the bees that we discovered the County Extension classes and the local BeeeKeepers Association.

It was a little scary at first, but now working the hives has become routine, as have the occasional stings.

[Gregorian]

15. Thanks so much.

I forgot about the ag extension. And yes, I can build it.

This is a very interesting thing. I don't get excited easily. But this is good.

[defendandprotect]

20. A dumb question, if I may . . .

What if people don't devote themselves to caring for bees . . . for profit, I presume?

Why aren't bees explanding on their own?

[bvar22]

23. I'm not sure what you mean by profit.

We are not "Commercial" Beekeepers.

We do profit by reaping a small quantity of pure, unadulterated, Chem-Free honey in mid-Summer.
We also have a number of fruit trees and berries (BlueBerries, Strawberries, Boysenberries, Blackberries) in addition to some vegetables that depend on bees for pollination, and we consider our local bee colonies a huge benefit in that respect.


Several ears ago, we lost all faith in the Corporate Food delivery and distribution system. We don't even trust the Farmers Markets. We decided to grow our own. In 2006, we sold everything, cashed out everything, and moved to a very rural, pristine part of the South in pursuit of sustainable, independent, natural living. The Bees are a a part of that package.


"Why aren't bees explanding on their own?"
Healthy Bees DO expand on their own.
Our environment has become very toxic.

[defendandprotect]

28. Thank you . . .

interesting . . .

And see that what you are doing is completely different . . .
but, aren't many bee keepers involved in transporting bees and renting them out?

Our toxic environment is becoming overwhelming -- and the destruction of animal-life
that has been going on for decades still ignored, it seems, as nothing to do with our
own mortality!

Thanks -

[surrealAmerican]

26. Honeybees are NOT a native species in North America.

Any "wild" honeybees are in essence feral, and not as well adapted as the "competition" (bumble bees and their relatives).

[rosesaylavee]

13. When November/December comes around, I will send you

a reminder. It's too late in the season to get going with it. A great book to read is A Book of Bees by Susan Hubbell. It reads like she is talking to you as she takes care of her bees and goes about her life. It is one of my favorite books. SHE is why I got into bees. Had no idea I would be interested in this at all until I read her books. Highly recommended reads.

Read about it, order your hive boxes and take a class in January/February and then order your bees to arrive in April. It is a very calming, wonderful way to spend your time. Let me know if you do - I don't know any other beekeepers on here and as you can see, love to talk about it.

[Gregorian]

16. Thanks!

It's funny how your post just reminded me of the only time I recall my mother reading to me. It was the Bee Book. Some neat little kids book.

My property is populated with the big bumblers. No "regular" bees that I've seen. It IS redwood forest.

I look forward to learning more about this. Thanks again!

[rosesaylavee]

17. OMG You live in a wonderful place for bees.

I just now looked at your profile. I am ordering my extra package of bees from Northern CA and waiting for them to arrive hopefully next week. You are in a great spot... but then you know that already don't you. As suggested up thread, find out from your local extension agent if there are any bee groups you can join and maybe attend meetings between now and when you can start your hives. I bet there are probably hobby beekeepers would enjoy showing you their bees and would apprentice you even. Very cool.

[Gregorian]

18. I see the book on ebay.

And I would swear I've seen hives somewhere in the area. Now I'm one mile from the ocean. But something tells me that's not an issue. After all, bees are everywhere. I'm also, if the litigation we're in is dismissed, will be building a blueberry orchard. I'm sure the bees would like that.

OK, I'm off to go grab one of the books off ebay. I've got to start somewhere. :)

[KittyWampus]

19. I grow blueberries. Very easy and high yield. Though where we are only the early and middle

fruits do well. The late ones never amount to much.

[Gregorian]

27. Aha! I love blueberries! But the birds.

I'll be planting an acre of them. But from my experience with the birds, this could be a difficult task.

If you've got any advice I would love to hear it. I'm afraid I've bitten off more than I can chew.

[KittyWampus]

29. we don't prune our bushes down as hard, so there is a taller canopy and the birds get

the berries way on top and mainly leave the ones on the bottom within arms reach for us humans.

This method (not pruning out as much and allowing them to get taller) gives us plenty. I'd say a quart per mature bush?

[Gregorian]

30. Excellent.

Long Island! Huh. That sounds rather coastal as well as cold as hell. If you grow them, I can grow them.

Thanks for the advice. Hopefully you've dispelled one of the big problems I was predicting. I like the concept of letting the birds have their share. That is how I operate. Speaking of which, here comes my crow, looking for scraps. I often toss out a fish head in the evening. Happy crows.

[bvar22]

25. Hi! BeeKeepers here!

:hi:
See Post #9.
Maybe we should start a BeeKeeping Group.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=246x7979

[PuraVidaDreamin]

32. I'd join that group

Constructed my two hives and am ready for the bees- date of arrival May 3.

Found a nice place for them next to the garden, early sun, shade in mid to late afternoon.

Building a platform for them, and preparing to keep out skunk, racoon & other critters.

Slightly nervous about introducing the bees to their hives, and hoping the queen emerges without problems.

Good Support from the Barnstable Bee Keepers Association here on Cape Cod.
Just wondering what I'll do for a good water source.

Peace

[BlancheSplanchnik]

24. Also try growing "heirloom" plants for your flower and veg gardens

for those who want to help the bees (and the entire eco-system, really...), but aren't inclined to raise bees.

I've heard that among the possible factors endangering bees is the decreasing biodiversity resulting from factory growing techniques, engineered crop strains.

Growing heirloom plants reintroduces old genetic strains which developed in synch with nature and its demands (as opposed to plants bred to suit human economic interests).

You can google on heirloom plants, the flower or veg of your choice to find nurseries.

[Arugula Latte]

31. It's funny, there was an article in our local paper today about this very thing.

It's becoming more and more popular in the Portland (Ore.) area to keep bees, just as it is to raise chickens for fresh eggs.



* * * *

GLADSTONE -- It's "bee day" at Ruhl Bee Supply. In the warehouse, 1,000 small wooden boxes, each holding 10,000 to 12,000 honey bees and a single queen, are ready for pickup. Half the bees are a breed called Italian, known for their mellow disposition. The others are Carniolan, said to be more tolerant of cold and wet conditions.

Hundreds of stragglers and lonesome local bees crawl along the outside of the boxes, smelling the royal party within and anxious to join. Ruhl employees gently vacuum away the "cling-ons" as they prepare for the coming swarm. Of customers.

Because beekeeping is, yes, all the buzz among a rising class of urban gardeners, organic hipsters and retired hobbyists. Some are looking for a ready crew of pollinators to work their vegetable gardens or fruit trees, and others are smacking their lips at the thought of fresh honey.

But many others are worried about colony collapse disorder, the mysterious malady that has wiped out hives in Europe and the eastern United States....

more: http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/04/honeybee_be_mine.html

[Name removed]

10. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Jack Sprat]

11. They can't find any clover.

It's all asphalt, concrete, bermuda and St Augustine grass lawns. No more clover.

[omega minimo]

12. even small gardens help the pollinators and native bees are also filling in gaps left by missing HBs

:thumbsup:

[KakistocracyHater]

33. the bees have been Raptured!

THEY were the chosen ones all along!:sarcasm:

Taking ALL their food & giving them corn syrup which we now know has some mercury in it.....those nasty mites are/were a major problem, what is attibuted to Einstein works for me...