Five years have passed since honeybees began dying in large numbers and hives started becoming extinct.
Scientists are still trying to figure out why this is happening and what can be done to help the problem. Many continue to fear that the culprit is Colony Collapse Disorder, a phenomenon in which worker bees abruptly disappear.
Scientists at University of California at Davis are trying to find ways to improve the health of the bees, partly by changing what they eat, partly by selective breeding of healthier, disease-resistant bees.
Eric Mussen, who has been the university extension apiculturist throughout the crisis, is frustrated that most beekeepers are still dealing with this issue.
"We really don't seem to have accomplished a whole lot, because we're still losing, on an average, approximately 30 percent or more of our colonies each year. And that's higher than -- than it used to be," he said.
Scientists are conducting new studies to better their understanding. For example, some are using a modified vacuum cleaner, they collect healthy bees from nearby hives to try to figure out what pathogens normal bees contain, so they can recognize abnormal when it occurs. Scientists are also smashing up dead bees, in order to extract DNA or RNA and analyze what viruses or bacteria are present.
Though scientists believe most beekeepers are avoiding Colony Collapse Disorder through careful management of their bees, the disease, whatever it is, has not gone away, and scientists admit they don't yet know what causes CCD or how to cure it.
Quotes
"With the colony collapse, it's very sudden, where you see the colony just kind of teetering, still full of bees. Then, boom, overnight, all the bees are gone." Randy Oliver, California beekeeper.
Warm Up Questions
1. What is a colony?
2. What is pollination?
3. What is the job of a beekeeper?
Discussion Questions
1. Why are honey bees important in the fruit and flower industries?
2. Why should scientists care that honey bees are disappearing?
3. According to the video, how are scientists trying to learn more about the disappearing honey bees?
Additional Resources
Colorado Kids Act as Citizen Scientists in National Lady Bug Hunt
