Colony+Collapse+Disorder

=What is Colony Collapse Disorder? = = = Within a few years after the initial infestation, the //Varroa// mite is able to build up large populations of mites ( Rosenkranz et al. 2010 ). If a colony becomes infected and is left untreated, it usually takes between two to four years before colony death - a phenomenon called Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) - especially if the infestation is severe and occurs in winter (Elizabeth Macarthur Agriculture Institute 2003; Le Conte & Navajas 2008; Rosenkranz et al. 2010 ). CCD is related to a set of symptoms rather than a term used to describe bee colony deaths specifically (Neumann & Carreck 2010). The associated symptoms are the absence of large numbers of adult honey bees in the colony; no dead bodies; and no obvious presence of diseases, parasites or pests (Oldroyd 2007). CCD effects seem to be correlated with the level of infestation in //Varroa// infected colonies (Neumann & Carreck 2010). Regions that had an established population of //Varroa// mite were found to have more consistently higher numbers of colonies compared to regions with unestablished populations (Neumann & Carreck 2010). However, despite being known to be in some way related to the //Varroa// mite, the exact cause for this phenomenon, as of 2010, is still to be determined (Neumann & Carreck 2010; Sumpter & Martin 2004). In fact, an organisation called the international COLOSS network has been created to collaborate and coordinate research efforts to aid in determining the cause of this phenomenon to hopefully lead to a preventative solution (Neumann & Carreck 2010). COLOSS stands for Prevention of honey bee Colony LOSSes, and consists of scientists, beekeepers and industry (Neumann & Carreck 2010). More information about this organisation can be found at [].  This image illustrates the small proportion of adult honey bees in relation to the number of brood cells. This is what occurs in many bee colonies that have been affected by CCD. Source: Oldroyd 2007.

©Kirsty Pearson 2010