> In 2006/2007 and again in 2010 when I examined a large number of collapsed colonies - and for all of you who want to name it out of existence, it still hasn't been resolved and the unique attributes still appear, maybe not as widespread. Whatever you want to call CCD, which I still believe is pathogenic, perhaps some virus that changes in virulence like human flu, we did see some DWV in many of the failed colonies.
Hi Jerry
I think the problem with the term CCD is that the media has abused it beyond usefulness. Further, it originally defined a narrow set of symptoms which I have only seen once at most. For example, compare these two:
3. Colony Depopulation Syndrome (CDS):
This is observed if a honey bee colony shows the following conditions within a certain time-frame:
a. reduced to no, or only a few remaining, living bees in the hive and
b. no, or only a few dead bees in or in front of the hive or at the apiary while
c. food is present in the hive.
4. Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD)
This is observed if the following conditions are present:
a. a rapid loss of adult worker bees from affected honey bee colonies, as evidenced by weak or dead colonies with excess brood populations present relative to adult bee populations; as evidenced by weak or dead colonies with _excess brood populations_ present relative to adult bee populations
b. a noticeable lack of dead worker bees both within and surrounding the hive
c. the delayed invasion of hive pests, e.g., small hive beetles and wax moths
These definitions are from "Standard survey methods for estimating colony losses" which includes a lot of information on how to gather data and interpret it. For example:
Ambiguity of interpretation
If respondents can interpret a question in various ways, the returns made will not be easy to interpret and the analysis can become difficult or impossible to conduct. It is well-known that asking sensitive questions in surveys is less likely to elicit an accurate or complete response than less emotive questions. Some survey methods are more successful in this matter than others. Questions requiring more knowledge than a participant has are likely to be answered inaccurately.
¶
When there is a monetary reward for having CCD, more beekeepers are likely to have it. Consider this, in 2016:
ELAP - Honeybee Assistance
Eligible honeybees include bees housed in a managed hive and used for honey production, pollination or honeybee breeding.
Losses of colonies must be in excess of normal mortality. FSA has established a normal mortality rate for colony losses of 15 percent for the 2016 program.
ELAP covers damage to hives and feed that was purchased or produced, including additional feed purchased above normal quantities to sustain honeybees until such time that additional feed becomes available.
The losses must be the direct result of an eligible adverse weather or loss condition, including but not limited to:
• Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD)
For honeybee colony losses due to CCD, the participant must provide proof that best management practices are being followed, such as honeybee colonies are provided proper nutrition, preventative treatment for varroa mites and disease, proper maintenance of hive equipment, proper colony management and any other supporting documents required for determining eligibility.
¶
sources:
van der Zee, Romée, et al. "Standard survey methods for estimating colony losses and explanatory risk factors in Apis mellifera." Journal of Apicultural Research 52.4 (2013): 1-36.
Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) - Honeybee Assistance https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Assets/USDA-FSA-Public/usdafiles/FactSheets/2016/2016_elap_for_honeybee.pdf
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