Colony Collapse Disorder Arrives in the UK
by Matthew Sparkes, London, UK 
on 04.12.07
British beekeepers are seeing an alarming amount of a disease that is wiping out 50%-75% of some hives in the US and Europe. The condition has been called Colony Collapse Disorder, and DEFRA have described the symptoms as "the total collapse of bee colonies, with a complete absence of bees or only a few remaining in the hive".
The disease has been a growing problem in the US and Europe, but until now has not been seen in the UK. Contrary to the claims of keepers, Defra claim that "there is no evidence in the UK right now of colony collapse disorder."
Although the causes are unknown, there are many theories, including environmental stress, malnutrition, antibiotic use, pesticides and GM crops. Although the loss of hives is tragic for keepers, the implications for farmers and consumers could also be considerable. Bees are currently used to pollinate crops, and a large reduction in the population could cause crops to fail. ::Guardian
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Although the findings are highly preliminary, it's thought that a parasitical fungus, Nosema ceranae may be responsible for Colony Collapse Disorder. Supposedly bees can die within just over a week once infected and weather does play a role in its development and spread.
A great article !
Writertiff made a lens at squidoo
http://www.squidoo.com/bee
and I made another lens
http://www.squidoo.com/why-is-ccd-more-serious/
They both extrapolate the disaster in case
you want to look at them.
It's cell phone towers.
Bacteria, viruses, fungus - they all have a magnetic sense.
I strongly suggest these researchers read 'Cross Currents' and 'The Body Electric' by Dr. Becker.
I'm currently writing a paper that is a culmination of basiclly all the data on CCD for my senior project. When it is completed I would be more than happy to publish it to the web or send it around, it has some very clarifying scientific research. On the N. ceranae thing, scientists have found that the fungal paracite lives in healthy colonies as well as ones that collapse, it it is not the cause of CCD.
It could be a variety of factors or a combination of factors working together. I am a microbiologist but well trained in entomology as well due to my MSc, I have also worked in epidemiology so I understand how and why diseases spread.
This is what make CCD so intregueing, there does not seem to be a recognisable epidemiology occuring with this disease. It has a very stoichastic nature and whilst one hive colloapses another adjacent will stay healthy and remain active.
I have also been told that a novel wolbachia strain may have been spreading through bee populations and this may be the cause of CCD. Wolbachia is endemic within arthropod populations and is known to cause similar behavioural effects in other insect groups