The Green Timberwolf

The Rapid Decline of Bees: Why are the Bees Playing “Hive and Seek?”

Blogged by: Emma G

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Over 250 billion bees have died in the last four years alone,which is about 90% of our bees each year. Although many different types of bees are included in this number, the majority of them were honeybees. Bees are responsible for approximately 80% of all fruit, vegetable and seed crops in the US alone, which clearly shows us how much of an importance they are for ecosystems around the world. If the bee population collapsed, it has been said that humanity as we know it would collapse with them. So, what has caused this rapid decline in bee lives? Are humans to blame for this tragic trend that is occurring?

   The answer to that question is yes and no. There are various reasons behind the disappearance of bees that are both natural and anthropogenic (caused by humans). Colony collapse disorder (CCD) is one of the many reasons for the decline of bees. The main symptom of CCD is very low to no adult bees present in the hive but with a queen who is alive and no dead honey bee bodies present. Despite continued research, there is currently no scientifically proven reason behind the cause of CCD.

Viruses are also a culprit behind the disappearance of bees. A virus is an infective agent that typically consists of a nucleic acid molecule in a protein coat that is too small to be seen by light microscopy and is able to multiply only within the living cells of a host (Dictionary.com). One of many viruses that affect bees are varroa mites which cause Varroosis. Varroa mites are reddish-brown in color and have a flat button shape. They are common nearly anywhere honey bees are found, and every beekeeper should take immense precautions if they are in a geographic area in which Varroa mites can be located. They suck the blood from both the adults and the developing brood, leaving open wounds, weakening and shortening the lifespan of the ones they feed on.

Cell phones are also a main cause of the decline of bee lives, or more specifically the radiation that is emitted from them and their service towers. The massive amount of radiation produced from towers and cell phones is destroying the navigational skills of the honey bees and preventing them from safely returning to their hives. A small study at Landau University in Germany had also proven that bees wouldn’t go back to their hives when there was cell phones present. The vanished bees may never be found again, though they are thought to be located far from home. Since they don’t have a habitat any more, they eventually die due to lack of nutrition. One might argue against this point by stating that humans aren’t dying because of radiation, but this can be easily shut down due to the fact that insects and small animals would naturally be affected more by this increase of ambient radiation since they possess smaller bodies which contain less flesh to be penetrated by exposure to microwaves, which then results in a different behavioral patterns. If towers and mobile phones continue to expand at the rate they have been in the past few years, the bees as a species could disappear in approximately ten years.

Clearly, bees are a crucial component to our ecosystems all over the world. In order for us as humans to help the bees we need to take better care of our planet and take precautions so that we don't destroy life on earth as we know it. Things that you could do to help the population of bees that are still alive could include; buying local and organic food which is healthier for your body and for our environment due to lack of chemicals during the production of the food, leaving dandelions on your lawn which serve as some of the most important food sources for North American bees, and leaving a small basin of fresh water outside of your home for the bees to drink. All of these are simple yet effective actions to ensure the future existence of our bees. Do your part and “bee the change!”

“If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe, then man would have only four years of life left. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man.” -Albert Einstein

References

Beesfree.biz,. (2015). Honey Bees Dying - Why Are Bees Dying Worldwide | Bees Free. Retrieved 8 November 2015, from http://www.beesfree.biz/The%20Buzz/Bees-Dying

Greenpeace International,. (2015). Bees in Decline. Retrieved 8 November 2015, from http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/publications/Campaign-reports/Agriculture/Bees-in-Decline

The National Beekeepers Association of New Zealand,. (2015). Beneficial Plants for Bees - The National Beekeepers Association of New Zealand. Retrieved 11 November 2015, from http://www.nba.org.nz/learn/beneficial-plants-for-bees/

Gianni, K., & Gianni, K. (2012). 4 Reasons the Bees are Disappearing. Renegade Health. Retrieved 12 November 2015, from http://renegadehealth.com/blog/2012/09/24/4-reasons-the-bees-are-disappearing

Ars.usda.gov,. (2015). ARS : Honey Bee Health and Colony Collapse Disorder. Retrieved 15 November 2015, from http://www.ars.usda.gov/News/docs.htm?docid=15572

(2015). Retrieved 20 November 2015, from http://www.ipublishing.co.in/jesvol1no12010/EIJES2044.pdf