Colony Collapse Disorder: A Descriptive Study

Abstract

BackgroundOver the last two winters, there have been large-scale, unexplained losses of managed honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies in the United States. In the absence of a known cause, this syndrome was named Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) because the main trait was a rapid loss of adult worker bees. We initiated a descriptive epizootiological study in order to better characterize CCD and compare risk factor exposure between populations afflicted by and not afflicted by CCD.Methods and Principal FindingsOf 61 quantified variables (including adult bee physiology, pathogen loads, and pesticide levels), no single measure emerged as a most-likely cause of CCD. Bees in CCD colonies had higher pathogen loads and were co-infected with a greater number of pathogens than control populations, suggesting either an increased exposure to pathogens or a reduced resistance of bees toward pathogens. Levels of the synthetic acaricide coumaphos (used by beekeepers to control the parasitic mite Varroa destructor) were higher in control colonies than CCD-affected colonies.Conclusions/SignificanceThis is the first comprehensive survey of CCD-affected bee populations that suggests CCD involves an interaction between pathogens and other stress factors. We present evidence that this condition is contagious or the result of exposure to a common risk factor. Potentially important areas for future hypothesis-driven research, including the possible legacy effect of mite parasitism and the role of honey bee resistance to pesticides, are highlighted.

Pesticide concentrations in frog tissue and wetland habitats in a landscape dominated by agriculture

“…Similarly, in a recent study by Hladik et al (2014), neonicotinoids were reported frequently (40-100%) in Iowa surface water samples collected between April and July of 2013. Neonicotinoids are receiving increased scrutiny because they have been implicated in adversely affecting pollinators and linked to colony collapse disorder in bees (Spivak et al, 2011;vanEngelsdorp et al, 2009) but currently potential effects on amphibians are largely unknown.…”

Honey bee‐collected pollen in agro‐ecosystems reveals diet diversity, diet quality, and pesticide exposure

“…In particular, nutritionally stressed honey bees that have little protein in their bodies are less capable of enzymatically decomposing pesticides (Wahl & Ulm, 1983). The combination of nutritional stress and pesticide exposure may be additive or even synergistic and may be further compounded by stresses from parasites (Doublet, Labarussias, de Miranda, Moritz, & Paxton, 2015; vanEngelsdorp et al., 2009). Therefore, our objectives were to quantify nutritional quality and pesticide residues of pollen to gain insights into real‐world colony exposure.…”

Honey Bee Diversity is Swayed by Migratory Beekeeping and Trade Despite Conservation Practices: Genetic Evidences for the Impact of Anthropogenic Factors on Population Structure

“…Among them, destruction and fragmentation of natural habitats, toxicity caused by pollution and pesticides -like widely used neonicotinoids-, diseases and their spread getting easier, invasive species are leading the way (Meffe 1998;Brown & Paxton 2009;Van Engelsdorp & Meixner 2010;Blacquiere et al 2012). Honey bees also, especially wild populations that are not managed by beekeepers (including the feral populations), take their share from the situation (Oldroyd 2007;Dietemann et al 2009;Van Engelsdorp et al 2009;Genersch 2010;Evans & Schwarz 2011). …”