Disappearing Bee Theories

It was earlier this year, during spring that news agencies first began reporting about a worrisome phenomenon about beekeepers going to their hives and discovering that their bees had vanished. Sometimes, all that remained were the queen bee and a few hatchling bees. The puzzling thing was that the beekeepers did not find any evidence of the usual predators of bees, such as wasps and animals that like honey. Neither did they find any trace of large numbers of dead bees nor any sign of bee diseases such as foulbrood or chalkbrood, which the developing larvae of bees usually fall prey to, nor was there any evidence of any of the mite species that attack fully grown or developing bees. Hence, on the basis of this evidence, it was surmised that the bees couldn’t have died of any sickness or predator attack. Plus, many of the beekeepers also reported that other bees, animals and moths stayed away from the newly abandoned nests, at least for the initial few days. From past experience, this phenomenon has been known to happen when bees have died of chemical contamination or disease.

Why Should Disappearing Bees Cause Concern?

Well, arguably, the honeybee, which is the species of bees that is disappearing, is the insect that is the most important for the human food chain. The reason being, that this species is the main pollinator of hundreds of types of food crops, nuts, flowers, vegetables and fruits. Hence, it was no surprise that many, including scientists, found the news reports of disappearing bees alarming. In fact, some of the articles even suggested that it could even result in widespread starvation. Some of them also quoted Albert Einstein, who is supposed to have said that if the world’s bees were to perish, humanity would too within four years, due to the absence of pollinators. Although it is highly improbable that Einstein had ever made this now-infamous statement about bees, however, Colony Collapse Disorder, or CCD, which is the phrase that has been coined for the disappearance of bees, is a phenomenon that is real. And, according to scientists, it does have the potential of impacting honey and food production dramatically. Hence, there are a number of theories being bandied about in an effort to fathom the reason for disappearing bees. Given below are some of the disappearing bee theories that are being debated about:

Could Stress and Diet be the reason for Disappearing Bees?

In recent years, honeybees have been undergoing great stress as an increasing number of beekeepers have taken recourse to filling up huge trucks with them and crisscrossing all over the country seeking pollination work. These bees may be suffering from the effects of an unhealthy diet that includes concoctions that are similar to power bars and energy drinks, basically made up of artificial supplements. In a number of states, the spread of sprawling suburbs has severely impinged on the natural forage areas of the bees.

Some say Radiation from Mobile Phones is the Culprit for Bees Disappearing

Some researchers are of the opinion that bee populations may be adversely affected by the rise in electromagnetic radiation in the atmosphere due to the increasing numbers of wireless communication towers and mobile phones. The hypothesis is that the radiation from these devices may interfere with the bees’ systems of navigation, thus hindering their ability to find their way back to their nests. Some studies found that when mobile phones were placed near their hives, bees would not come back there. Further studies are underway at present to find out to what extent bees and other insects are affected by this kind of radiation.

Could Bees be Disappearing due to Pesticides and Genetically Modified Food?

Many think that the growing use of chemical herbicides and pesticides, which are ingested by bees when they make their daily pollination forays, are to blame greatly. Beehives that are kept for commercial purposes are also fumigated regularly with chemicals to get rid of harmful mites. Genetically modified crops, which could be producing pollen with poor nutritional value, is another suspect thought to be responsible for bees disappearing.

Perhaps a combination of both, pollen from genetically modified crops and chemicals, may have tipped the balance leading to the collapse of bee populations. This theory is lent credence by the fact that organically raised bees, which are not subjected to genetically modified crops and chemicals, are not undergoing the Colony Collapse Disorder that the other bees are experiencing.

Or is Global Warming the Reason Bees are Disappearing?

Scientists are also wondering whether global warming could be accelerating the growth rates of pathogens like fungi, viruses and mites, which are known to adversely affect bee colonies. The unusual fluctuations in weather patterns, which are also thought to be caused by global warming, could also be affecting bee populations, which are used to more consistent patterns of weather.

Although there are a number of disappearing bee theories like these, scientists are still searching for the cause. Even though there was no consensus amongst leading bee biologists when they gathered together to discuss the mystery recently, most were of the opinion that it could be a combination of factors that could be the reason. Hence, the next time you spot a busy bee buzzing about its business, stop and marvel at this little creature, thanking it for the marvelous task it accomplishes – for, if the trend of them disappearing continues, you may not see them around any more.