Scientists Untangle Multiple Causes of Bee Colony Disorder

by **Carlhole** » Sat 01 Aug 2009, 10:10:20

Enironmental News

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'P')ULLMAN, Washington, July 29, 2009 (ENS) — A microscopic pathogen and pesticides embedded in old honeycombs are two major contributors to the bee disease known as colony collapse disorder, which has wiped out thousands of beehives throughout the United States and Europe over the past three years, new research at Washington State University has confirmed.

Working on the project funded in part by regional beekeepers and WSU's Agricultural Research Center, entomology professor Steve Sheppard and his team have narrowed the list of potential causes for colony collapse disorder.

"One of the first things we looked at was the pesticide levels in the wax of older honeycombs," Sheppard said. Using combs contributed by U.S. Department of Agriculture, Sheppard found "fairly high levels of pesticide residue."

Bees raised in those hives "had significantly reduced longevity," he said.

One easy solution is for beekeepers to change honeycombs more often. In Europe, for example, apiarists change combs every three years.

"In the U.S., we haven't emphasized this practice and there's no real consensus about how often beekeepers should make the change," said Sheppard. "Now we know that it needs to be more often."

by **mcgowanjm** » Sat 01 Aug 2009, 10:24:40

I wonder how often bees naturally change combs.

Anyone know of wild bee studies?

by **pedalling_faster** » Sat 01 Aug 2009, 12:24:12

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Carlhole', 'U')sing combs contributed by U.S. Department of Agriculture, Sheppard found "fairly high levels of pesticide residue."

by **mcgowanjm** » Sun 02 Aug 2009, 09:25:39

also note starvation of bees fed on syrup.

Treating bees the way we would want someone
to treat us.

anthropomorphism. Or just creatur-o-pomorphism.

by **Carlhole** » Sun 02 Aug 2009, 10:05:53

It's strange that this story set off so many alarm bells, as if it were a harbinger of more apocalyptic events to follow. All the while, the solution turns out to be about as simple as "try changing your underwear more often than once per year".

by **wisconsin_cur** » Sun 02 Aug 2009, 21:13:09

Another part of the problem is that when most beekeepers change comb they use bee wax "foundation" to "help" the bees make new comb. I put help in quotes because I do not think it is necessary or beneficial. That is beside the point.

When they use foundation they are using wax processed from other hives. In other words the pesticide build up continues forward as you take tainted foundation and then let your bees use it for a few years and add their own.

The answer, I think, is to use foundationless bee keeping and then swap out the comb in the brood chamber every three years or so. But that requires some new skills and involves some new challenges. All are, i think, over-comeable. But we all know how people react to change.