Honey Bee Health

Honey bees contribute more than $18 billion to the U.S. economy in pollination of more than 90 agricultural crops. One-third of the food we eat benefits from honey bee pollination. Thus, the serious decline of honey bees, known as colony collapse disorder (CCD), is a major concern for all of us. In Washington, beekeepers are reporting losses at two to three times the level they have historically experienced. CCD is a complex syndrome and more than 60 variables are associated with this phenomenon. Most researchers and beekeepers attribute the parasitic mite Varroa destructor as the major contributor to CCD. But there are several other major variables that also contribute, including various pathogens, loss of habitat, and exposure to pesticides. First discovered in the United States in 1986, the Varroa mite will kill a colony within 2 years if left untreated. Agricultural pesticides, including those used by beekeepers to control the Varroa mite, are also contributing factors in the decline of honey bees.