What is Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD)?
Colony Collapse Disorder is a little-understood phenomenon in which most or all worker bees from seemingly strong beehives abruptly disappear. Most people explain this disappearance as a malfunction of the honeybees’ navigation system. They are disoriented and unable to find their way back to the hive. Some beekeepers have reported losing 90% of their hives. CCD was originally found in honeybee colonies in North America in late 2006. Some European beekeepers have also observed a similar phenomenon. The definitive cause(s) of CCD hasn’t altogether been explained. Theories include environmental change-related stresses, mites, pesticides, radiation from cellular phones and genetically modified crops. The most likely cause seems to be a new/adapted virus or some new chemical insecticide. Has CCD Affected Savannah Bee? Beekeepers are a hardy and persistent breed. Variables in the weather, blooming plants and in the honeybees themselves instill adaptive behavior into any enduring beekeeper.
