3rd Quarter 2013: Colony Collapse of Honeybees and Humans

Honeybee colony collapse has accelerated dramatically in the USA over the past six decades. Bee colony numbers declined by over 40%, from 5.9 million to 2.4 million, and at the current rate managed honey bees will disappear by 2035 [Source: Committee on the Status of Pollinators presentation to the U.S. House of Representatives, March 29, 2007, as cited by Amadeo, K. (2013). “Bee Colony Collapse Disorder”, U.S. Economy section on About.com, accessed 30 May 2013 at http://useconomy.about.com/od/glossary/g/Bee-Colony-Collapse-Syndrome.htm  Since 2006, when colony collapse disorder (CCD) was recognized as a serious threat, the news buzz has become even grimmer.  A USDA/USEPA report released in May 2013 explained that CCD is caused by a complex of stresses, including imported parasitic mite pests, viral and bacterial diseases, synthetic pesticides and fungicides, poor nutrition, genetics, and other factors (see http://www.usda.gov/documents/ReportHoneyBeeHealth.pdf