Honeybees are dying at astronomical rates in the United States, Canada, and Europe, a phenomenon which could potentially have dire effects on the world economy and agricultural ecosystem.
Ontario beekeeper David Schuit recently reported the death of over 37 million bees (approximately 600 hives) during the month of June.
Note: Pictured above is J & P Apiary and Gentzel’s Bees, Honey and Pollination Company
Image by Joe Raedle / Getty Images
This announcement came just two weeks after theunexpected death of over 25,000 bumblebees in the parking lot of the Wilsonville, Ore., Target.
This photo provided by the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation shows some of the thousands of dead and dying bees found in the parking lot of a shopping center in Wilsonville, Ore.
Image by AP
The presumed cause of these deaths is a relatively recent phenomenon known as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD).
Image by Matt Cardy / Getty Images
First reported in 2006, CCD has been attributed tothe rapid loss of approximately 33% of commercial honeybees from 2006–2011.
Image by Joe Raedle / Getty Images
This relatively high number — in comparison to anaverage loss of 10–15% — has many frightening implications for both the ecosystem and the larger world economy.
Image by Matt Cardy / Getty Images
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, bee pollination is responsible for more than $15 billion in increased crop value each year.
Image by Joe Raedle / Getty Images
The USDA estimates that about one in every three bites of food is either directly or indirectly made possible because of bee pollination.
Almonds — for which California alone produces 80% of the world’s supply — are entirely dependent on honeybee pollination during bloom time.
Source: Shutterstock
As CCD continues to ravage commercial honeybee populations, scientists and governments are now stepping in to help determine the cause of this startling phenomenon.
Image by Joe Raedle / Getty Images
Some studies point to neonictonoids (pesticides) as the potential cause behind CCD, though the evidence remains largely inconclusive.
According to the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, neonicotinoids can persist in soil for months or years after a single application. And though there is no direct link demonstrated between neonicotinoids and CCD, recent research suggests that neonicotinoids may make honeybees more susceptible to parasites and pathogens, including the intestinal parasite Nosema, which has been implicated as one causative factor in CCD.
Via: Shutterstock
In an effort to help determine what is causing CCD, the European Commission opted, in April, to ban the use of three pesticides belonging to the neonictonoid family for three years beginning Dec. 31, 2013.
Though in 2007 the USDA established a special committee to tackle the issue of CCD, they currently have no plans to ban the use of neonictonoids in the United States.
Source: Shutterstock
In 2012 the rates of CCD decreased to an average loss of 22% in the winter season. As of now it has yet to be determined what the average losses will be for 2013.
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