Colony Collapse Disorder

Beekeepers across America are encountering a strange phenomenon! And so did I last year. My tomato plants didn't have enough BEES! Bees are abandoning their hives. Millions of these insects have been reported lost, with no trace of where the colonies may have gone, and no apparent cause for their disappearance. In a few other cases, whole colonies have been found dead in their hives. Is this a run up to the infamous 2012, like in December 21, 2012? Or simply Colony Collapse Disorder?



Scientists and beekeepers alike are unsure as to the source of this problem, which is tentatively being called Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). Suspected causes include pesticides, mites, viruses, cold weather, fungus, the use of antibiotics and low-quality food for the bees. And all are guesses!



There are signs that the immune systems of infected bees are collapsing, again for no known reason, causing some to call it “bee HIV/AIDS.” Can you believe this stuff? With weakened immune systems, the bees are unable to fight off diseases. In fact, found in the stomachs of infected bees are traces of nearly every disease that has affected bees over the last 100 years.



Honeybees do not simply make honey. They are also a crucial element needed to pollinate fruit and vegetable crops—amounting to a $14 billion share in the United States’ fresh produce. Farmers rent hives from beekeepers to ensure widespread pollination and, in turn, a good harvest. The success of crops such as almonds, apples, cranberries, and many other fruits and vegetables are all linked to bee pollination.



So there you have it! Now I know why my tomato crop was so miserable!



But what about my ice cream?



Haagen-Dazs is warning that a creature as small as a honeybee could become a big problem for the premium ice cream maker's business. At issue is the disappearing bee colonies in the United States, a situation that continue to mystify scientists and frighten foodmakers.



According to Haagen-Dazs, one-third of the U.S. food supply - including a variety of fruits, vegetables and even nuts - depends on pollination from bees. Haagen-Dazs, which is owned by Nestle, said bees are actually responsible for 40% of its 60 flavors - such as strawberry, toasted pecan and banana split. "These are among consumers' favorite flavors," said Katty Pien, brand director with Haagen-Dazs.



Think this isn't serious? We may be losing our harmonic balance.



While beekeepers consider a 20% loss to be normal for a season, losses of 30-60% have been reported this season, and the problem continues to spread. CCD is also being reported throughout parts of Canada and Europe. If the problem continues to accelerate, and the causes of these mysterious disappearances are not determined soon, food supplies on both sides of the Atlantic will be dealt a heavy blow. This is serious stuff.



Maybe it's because of global warming or wait, is there global warming? Where's Al Gore?



But, get your mind around this quote. Albert Einstein once said that if the bees disappeared, “Man would have only four years of life left”. Let's see that would be in 2012. Another veil of ignorance, or conspiracy theory-itis?



You just never know do you.