Colony Collapse Syndrome
- Thread starter LeilaNami
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It was a real problem in 2007, thought to have been caused by a number of different factors. The spread of a parasitic mite, a new internal pathogen, and overuse of pesticides were killing large numbers of colonies. It wasn't as big of a problem in the summer of 2008 and fell out of media coverage. I guess we'll see what this year brings before we really know, but it looks like some of the doomsday predictions were a little premature.
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Little doubt in my mind that it was all media hype over a natural phenomenon. Populations rise and fall all the time and this time is no different. However that said if there was/is an outside influence I would be inclined to to think pesticides were at least in part to blame. However fewer honeybees mean more native bees, so Im not crying about it either way.
a1_collection
Arachnopeon
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I think it is not as serious as the media makes it seem or the common belief of the public, however a decline in a population of insect that is so crucial to nature is an alarming thing. We shouldn't panic but should take note of it. Bees will adapt somehow I belive.
I think you have the same feelings i have. I've been getting "No, they're going extinct!" comments when discussing this with other people. I believe that we had a population explosion and the decline is more noticeably because of it. A lot of people are blaming the introduced african bees for causing them to die as well though I find that highly unlikely considering they're breeding and producing (very angry) offspring.
I have no opinion on whether it's all media hype or not, but what leads you guys to believe that it isn't a problem. Sources? I've really only heard that it was huge problem, at least for those that own the bees. I'd like to here another side. I was told that it's all up to debate, but that it was caused by a combination of pesticides, stress from being moved so much from farm to farm, and possible pathogens. As far as a I know mites weren't found at all in a good number of collapsed colonies, so I'm thinking that could be a contributing factor but not a cause. Thanks.
All those contributing causes were theories and never proven to my knowledge.
but then smoking has never been proven to cause cancer either but it sure does help you get it.
Bee colonies are supposed to be stationary in the wild, only changing location when they swarmed. But we ship them all over the place, and in large numbers. Because of this they come in contact with other colonies from who knows were, caring who knows what diseases. Even us humans suffer different allergies from place to place. The bees are over stressed.
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Having raised bees I have witnessed colonies die for no apparent reason, both established and new. So I do think that CCS is a real problem.
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Maybe I am confused, but I believe CCS has to do with individual colonies dying off with no obvious cause, not overall population decline. However, CCS may cause or contribute to an overall decline in the population (amount of colonies).
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I've heard a theory that the drop in bee population is due to the widespread use of a specific genetically modified corn hybrid grown for animal feed. This corn has jellyfish DNA added to provide a slight toxicity to insect life as a pest deterrent. Apparently this also has an effect on the honeybees that feed from and pollinate the corn flowers.
That's what I heard anyway... In any case, I think the bee shortage is real. I can't even remember the last time I saw one here in MD but they used to be everywhere.
That's what I heard anyway... In any case, I think the bee shortage is real. I can't even remember the last time I saw one here in MD but they used to be everywhere.
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I do believe the bee shortage is real however I do not believe they are going extinct (like some have claimed).
The CCS is referring to individual colonies suddenly disappearing. It's gotten to the point where the overall population declined. I do agree with auroborus however I'm a little confused. Do they harvest wild hives to ship and trade or do they generally do that with farm hives?
The CCS is referring to individual colonies suddenly disappearing. It's gotten to the point where the overall population declined. I do agree with auroborus however I'm a little confused. Do they harvest wild hives to ship and trade or do they generally do that with farm hives?
I'm fairly sure they farm hives. Bee "farmers" have to buy new colonies if theirs collapse. Now, if the people they buy from take wild hives I have no idea. They don't ship and trade them though from what I know. They have people who's only job is to farm these bee colonies and drive them to farms, sometimes a long ways away. So the stress part supposedly comes from shipping the same colony all over the place, possibly coming into contact with pathogens not otherwise contacted had they not been moved.
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Well luckily the africanized "killer" bees are moving north. Soon we'll have them everywhere to pollinate our crops and guard them from tractors, fruit pickers, farmers...
problem solved...:?
haha yeah lucky us