Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) is the name that has been given to the recent, and serious, die-off of honey bee colonies across the United States that was first reported in late 2006. CCD is characterized by sudden and complete disappearance of the honey bees from an otherwise healthy colony. The colony appears to be healthy with brood and stored food; just the adults are missing in action.
Beekeepers, vegetable and fruit growers and the general public are justifiably concerned and seek information and answers to their questions. Foremost among the questions is, "why?" The short answer is that nobody is certain of the cause, though it appears that stress and diseases, especially among migratory bees, may be what's happening. The early theories that CCD was being caused by cell phone towers, GMO crops and extraterrestrial aliens have all been discounted.
You can keep up to date with the latest CCD developments by checking the CCD Working Group website. The CCD Working Group is an active group of State and Federal Departments of Agriculture honey bee specialists, land grant university researchers and private industry.
lewis/bmr
9/24/2007