Visit the United Sates Department of Agriculture website to read up on the honey

Question

Visit the United Sates Department of Agriculture website to read up on the honeybee health:

Colony Collapse Disorder: An Incomplete Puzzle

In addition do a search for updates on Colony Collapse disorder (CCD). Some examples, but you do not need to limit yourself to these, include:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBmlwx_6A8Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4C8Em3n5YM
http://www.pbs.org/video/2365701096/

1. Outline what scientists have discovered so far that has shed light on the problem? Be sure to cite at least 2 sources for your information. (3 pts)

2. Explain the important connection between honeybees and the health of the ecosystems. (3 pts)

3.Discuss suggested solutions for the problem from at least 2 different research-based sources (University/Government/Scientific Society/etc). (4pts)

4. Discuss two ideas of sustainability to come up with solutions to the problems of colony collapse disorder. (5 pts)

Explanation / Answer

1.

Colony Collapse Disorder is the incident that happens when the majorities of worker bees in a colony vanish and leaving behind a queen, lots of food and very little nurse bees. It is the immediate and unpredicted loss of adult worker bees from the colony over a very small interval. Bees are flying off for searching of pollen and nectar but never return back to their colonies. Researchers told that bees are most probably vanishing in the fields, may be exhausted or simply confused and finally falling sufferer to the cold.

Some scientists told that it may be due to attack of parasite, some kind of virus, some kind of bacteria or pesticides. Other researchers suggested that it may be the result of variations in the earth's magnetic field. Magnetic field fluctuations cause migration of birds and other animals and insects such as bees.

Reference: https://www.khouse.org/enews_article/2009/1515

2)

Honeybees create more than just honey. Honeybee hives are rented out to farmers for pollinate their crops. Each year, around 2 million bee colonies are rented out to farmers. There are more than 90 crops are used honeybees for pollination. Some of them are apples, oranges, avocados, raspberries, strawberries, cherries, citrus fruit, melons, peaches, pears, artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, celery, cucumbers, soybeans, almonds and various other nuts, as well as a wide variety of other crops. Around one-third of food is from insect-pollinated plants, and the honeybees are responsible for about 80 percent of that pollination. Cattle that feed on alfalfa depend on bees.

Colony collapse disorder is the biggest general threat to the food supply.

3)

Government, Beekeepers, and scientists from universities, industries, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have opened various research in the possible causes of CCD.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Bee Informed Partnership have published a research in colony collapse disorder (CCD). Bee Informed carried out a survey of around 7,000 beekeepers who took a more cautious approach to treating their colonies. The treatment aim to control parasitic Varroa mites, and the overall results illustrated a lower death rate.

Varroa mites, Asian parasites are the main cause of CCD. Winter also another important factor, mainly with the severe storms happened in the Northeastern U.S.

So it should be noted that every beekeeper requires a forceful varroa management plan in place.

Also the beekepers should not mix the collapsing colonies with healthy ones.

Reference:

http://www.universityherald.com/articles/9428/20140515/honeybee-colony-collapse-disorder-solution-researchers-pushing-little-known-method-to-solve-ccd.htm

http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/hot_topics/agriculture/colony_collapse_disorder.shtml

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