Articles on Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) including "Solving the Mystery of the Vanishing Bees" (April 2009) and more from Scientific American on the web.
From the University of Florida, Department of Entomology and Nematology, Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory. PDF edition also available: view with Adobe Reader.
Includes information about bees, bee identification and safety. From Texas A&M University, Department of Entomology. PDF format: view with Adobe Reader.
"Pollinator Partnership’s mission is to promote the health of pollinators, critical to food and ecosystems, through conservation, education, and research. Signature initiatives include the NAPPC (North American Pollinator Protection Campaign), National Pollinator Week, and the Ecoregional Planting Guides." Includes information on Pollinator Planting Guides, Honey Bee Disappearances and What You Can Do (PDF), and Pesticides"
"A growing, collaborative body of more than 160 diverse partners, including respected scientists, researchers, conservationists, government officials and dedicated volunteers."
Sections include: What is Colony Collapse Disorder?, What Causes CCD?, Assessing the Disorder's Impact, Searching for Solutions, What Can Beekeepers Do to Avoid CCD?, Updates and Refereed Publications. From the University of Florida, Department of Entomology and Nematology, Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory.
"Following the ad hoc formation of a CCD Working Team (a rapid response group comprised of academic, private, and Federal scientists), the Department of Agriculture (USDA) took the lead in the effort to determine causes contributing to CCD. Specifically, USDA organized a two-day CCD Workshop in Beltsville, Maryland, for various apiculture experts to identify research gaps and priorities as well as measures required to address these needs. Based on information gathered at the Workshop, a newly formed CCD Steering Committee, composed of Federal program leaders and Land Grant University scientists/administrators, identified critical research and response needs and developed an Action Plan." PDF format: view with Adobe Reader. Document published by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS). See also their press release (June 2007) discussing the plan.
Examination of possible contributing factors to CCD: Malnutrition, Pesticides, Genetically Modified Crops, Migratory Beekeeping, Lack of Genetic Biodiversity, Beekeeping Practices, Parasites and Pathogens, Toxins in the Environment, Electromagnetic Radiation, Climate Change.
Published August 3, 2009. From Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Department of Entomology at Pennsylvania State University, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases at Belgium, et al. PDF edition also available (see link on their page - top right corner).
Updated January 7, 2010. Sections include: Extent and Symptoms of Colony Collapse Disorder, Past Honey Bee Population Losses, Current Colony Losses from Available Surveys, How CCD Differs from Past Bee Colony Losses, Symptoms of Colony Collapse Disorder, Possible Causes of Colony Collapse Disorder, Parasites, Mites, and Disease, Pesticides and Chemicals, Other Factors, Other Related Events. PDF format: view with Adobe Reader.
