I share Randy's position which is there is a problem in the beekeeping 
world.

There is also a problem in the CCD world. As noted many times, CCD is 
not an identified pathogen, but an identified symptom. The work is in 
trying to attach something to the symptom. This is what happened with 
parasitic mite syndrome PMS, an acronym which ,for some reason, fell 
into disfavor). A symptom was discovered (in Maine) which looked like 
symptoms from bee viruses only seen in the lab (by Tony Jadczak), and 
confirmed by Beltsville researchers that it was virus (Dr S.). The 
symptoms reported then, were very much like CCD.

CCD has been said to have unique symptoms never seen before. However, 
the main thrust of researchers in the Easter US is based on colonies 
near to Varroa collapse.

Then you have the additional problem with different observations from 
Jerry's group compared to the eastern group and CCD becomes a little 
more difficult to pin down.

Then the eastern group reports definitively (or maybe not so, depends on 
the press conference) that the answer has been found. (BTW, it still is 
definitive to some in that group.)

Then add anomalies such as 60,000 colonies entering Maine every year 
from all around the country, and no CCD was found. But those same 
colonies in Florida have, according to some posts, rampant CCD. Nor has 
CCD spread to other beekeepers who reside full time in Maine or to those 
local commercial operations which move to Florida for the winter.

CCD like symptoms have been seen in Maine by competent inspectors but 
were nutrition related. Some CCD almond colonies that sparked off the 
whole firestorm came from drought ridden parts of the US.

Which brings us full circle, to Randy's point. The industry is in 
trouble. My personal opinion is that the problem is primarily Varroa and 
all else flows from that. Control Varroa and most all beekeepers do 
well. But some have low Varroa loads and have problems. I would check 
what they are using for miticides. There are many commercial operations 
which are using non-approved miticides and at doses that will insure 
pesticide resistance. Remember when Apistan lost its effectiveness and 
colonies crashed.

Add proper, adequate nutrition and you go into the world of those who 
have few problems.

So what might CCD be? The symptoms exist. It might be the decade (or 
more) recurring disappearing disease, magnified by the impact of Varroa. 
Or it could be a combination of mites, virus and nosema, the same 
combination that led to massive bee deaths long ago, but then the mite 
was Tracheal. So if you do not want CCD, IMO,  have low mite loads from 
managed approved treatments (not from last minute treatments of 
unauthorized pesticides), good nutrition, and nosema controls.

What the CCD team really needs is not just a group of University 
researchers but a good epidemiologist from the CDC to pin down the 
origins of the symptom. That might help separate the chaff from the wheat.

Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine

******************************************************
* Full guidelines for BEE-L posting are at:          *
* http://www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/guidelines.htm  *
******************************************************