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
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