Vol. 13 No. 7
Editor - Jan Weaver
415 Tucker Hall, MU 65211
by Jan Weaver
Last October, a commercial beekeeper returned to Florida to pick up 400 bee hives he had left to pollinate a farmer's crop. When he got there, none of them had worker bees. There were only queens and brood in the hives. Not only were there no live workers, there were no dead ones either. Normally when bees die inside the hive the bodies are carried out and dumped in a little pile outside the hive. A pile of bee corpses would have at least allowed him to investigate a cause - a sudden freeze, pesticides, or worse, some bee disease. But there were no bodies. The bees had just gone missing.
This was the first officially documented case of Colony Collapse Disorder or CCD. While similar cases, (variously labeled disappearing disease, spring dwindle, May disease, autumn collapse, and fall dwindle disease) have shown up in the past, there is the perception that the number of cases has dramatically increased. So far, cases have been reported from 24 states and Canada, and there are unconfirmed reports of its appearance in Europe.
To be identified as Colony Collapse Disorder, a "missing bees case" must have these characteristics:
Complete absence of worker bees, and few or no bodies in or around the hive
Capped brood in the hive - normally bees don't abandon hives before all the brood have hatched.
Ample stores of honey and pollen
Other bees are not robbing the undefended hive
Hive pests are slow to attack the undefended hive
Stress from drought or other similar events is one agent that is present in all the reported cases. Other possible causes include new nicotine-based pesticides, which have been shown to accumulate in the nectar and to disorient bees, the antibiotics beekeepers use to kill pathogens, weakened immune systems - from all kinds of stressors - so that bees are more vulnerable to a bunch of pathogens and parasites that already attack them, the development of resistance in many of these pathogens and parasites, the spread of Nosema fungus from Asian bees to susceptible European breeds, and/or the stress of long distance transport - when they are not pollinating, bees are traveling thousands of miles following flowering crops (this is where beekeepers make most of their money, not honey). Genetically modified crops and electromagnetic radiation from cell phone towers have also been proposed as causes, but are less likely for a number of reasons.
Unfortunately, we can't even be sure if CCD is a real phenomenon, because the only long term data we have on honey bee populations is not on the bees themselves but on the honey production of commercial bee keepers. There has been a decline in honey, but this is mostly due to changes in the industry (more imported honey). This means we don't actually have a handle on the size of the bee decline, though if you look at the trends in other pollinator species, insects, birds and bats, it would be surprising if honey bees weren't being affected by the factors driving the other pollinators' numbers down: habitat loss, pesticides, spread of invasive species, and most recently, the impacts of climate change. This disappearance of pollinators across the board is the underlying crisis that May Berenbaum, Chair of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Committee on the Status of North American Pollinators, was referring to when she characterized CCD as a crisis on top of a crisis.
What does it matter if pollinators decline or disappear? Honey bees alone account for at least $14 billion in agricultural production in the U.S., ensuring cross pollination and seed or fruit set in almonds, apples, cherries, peaches and dozens of other crops. If you add in other managed bees like bumble bees (which are social like honey bees) and solitary bees like the blue orchard and alfalfa leaf cutter bee, and wild bees, and wasps, beetles, butterflies, moths, flies, hummingbirds it adds up to at least 1/3 of everything we eat. If you include derived uses of animal pollinated crops for animal feed, clothing and possibly even hybrid soybeans for biofuels, the impacts of missing pollinators will be felt throughout the economy. As one 19th century wit put it - Britain's empire depended on its Navy, the Navy depended on its sailors, the sailors depended on beef, the beef depended on clover, and the clover depended on bumble bees. What is a nation without its insects?
What are we as a nation doing about the issue? The NAS Pollinators Committee has these recommendations -
Take Better Care of Managed Pollinators
- Start collecting better data on honey bee populations
- Prevent introduction of new pests and parasites in imported bees which may carry diseases
- Improve genetic stocks of bees so they have natural resistance to pathogens and parasites
- Identify contributions of other pollinators and develop management protocols for them
Identify and Conserve Wild Pollinators
- Provide economic incentives for agriculture, businesses & homeowners to protect pollinators
- Raise awareness through citizen-scientist monitoring conservation programs
- Remove barriers to listing pollinators as Endangered Species (some larva may be pests)
What can individuals do to help protect pollinators?
Limit or Eliminate Pesticides - monitor for pests and use organic methods
Attract Native Predators - put out a board as a refuge to attract spiders and predatory beetles
Flowers - 4 Planting Principles
- Diverse flower types - different pollinators prefer different kinds of flowers
- Massed plantings of individual species - so there are lots of the right kind of flower in one place
- Multiple seasons of flowering - so there is always something producing nectar and pollen
- Use true native wildflowers - no exotics or modern hybrids (reduced nectar and scent)
Plant Larval Food Plants - so the larva have something to eat
Provide Shelter from Wind and Weather
Monitor and Remove Invasives - these compete with native plant species
Reduce your Carbon Foot Print - global warming affects plants and their pollinators
Resources on Pollinators
NABA - North American Butterfly Association - http://www.naba.org
St. Louis NABA Chapter - http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabasl/stlouis.htm
North American Pollinator Protection Campaign - http://www.pollinator.org/ (downloadable pollinator garden wheel)
Science Article on decline - http://www.pollinator.org/Resources/Science_Pollinator_Article.pdf
Monarch Watch - http://www.monarchwatch.org/
BioRegional Quiz - What kinds of plants do different pollinators prefer?
AQUATIC EDUCATION: CONNECTING HEALTHY HABITATS: Thursday & Friday July 5 & 6. Missouri Department of Conservation Professional Development Workshop 573-882-8388 to register
LIVE EARTH: Saturday July 7, 11:00 am - 9:30 pm, Peace Park. World Wide Jam for the Planet http://www.columbiaclimatechangecoalition.org/
BIKE COMMUTING CLASS: Tuesday July 10,17:30-20:30, Armory. Adult, $15. 573- 874-7460 / www.pednet.org
NATURE DETECTIVES: Tuesday July 10, Rock Bridge Mem St Park. Nature activities for pre-K, reserv req 573-815-9255 / mjdonlsn@aol.com / http://rockbridge.missouri.org
CONFIDENT CITY CYCLING CLASSES: July 11) 5:30-8:30, Riechman Pavilion, Stephens Park. 15-adult, 3 meetings, $20. 573- 874-7460 / www.pednet.org
PORTABLE CAVE AND BAT STORIES: Thursday July 12, 6:30 Library. registration required: 573-443-3161
OUTDOOR, NATURE, ENVIRONMENTAL, SUSTAINABILITY GROUPS MEETING: Friday July 13, 7:30 am, Peckham and Wright Architects, 15 S. 10th. - topic - media relations. Please email weaverjc@missouri.edu if you plan to attend.
BIKE PRO YOUTH BIKE CLASSES: Saturday July 14, 9:00-11:00, Parkade. 10-14 yrs, 4 meetings, $10. 573- 874-7460 / www.pednet.org
NATIVE GARDEN TOURS: Saturday July 14, 10:00-12:00. Location tba. cmazzacano@gmail.com / http://wildones.missouri.org
BAT VIEWING AND CAVE TOURS: Tuesday July 17, 7:30, Rock Bridge Mem St Park. reserv required 573-449-7402
MO RIVER 340: July 24-28, KC to St. Charles. Canoe & Kayak Race $100. http://www.rivermiles.com
OSAGE RIVER MOUTH CLEAN UP: Saturday July 28, Bonnots Mill, South Side Osage - ramp. 573-443-0292 / riverrelief@riverrelief.org / www.riverrelief.org/
BIKE PRO YOUTH BIKE CLASSES: August 8, 6:00-8:00 pm, Riechman Pavilion, Stephens.10-14 yrs, 4 meetings, $10. 573- 874-7460 / www.pednet.org
NATURE DETECTIVES: Wednesday August 8 , Rock Bridge Mem St Park. Nature for pre- K, reserv req 573-815-9255 / mjdonlsn@aol.com / http://rockbridge.missouri.org
CONFIDENT CITY CYCLING CLASSES: Aug 11, 9:00 -12:00, Rock Quarry House. 15-adult, 3 meetings, $20. 573- 874-7460 / www.pednet.org
NATIVE GARDEN TOURS: Saturday Aug 11, 10:00-12:00, Location tba. Rain Gardens. cmazzacano@gmail.com / http://wildones.missouri.org
CAVE CRITTER SURVEY: Saturday Aug 18, 1-3 pm, Rock Bridge Mem S.P., Devil's Icebox Cave. Count Cave animals. 815-9255
BAT VIEWING AND CAVE TOURS: Saturday August 18, 7:30, Rock Bridge Mem St Park. reserv required 573-449-7402
AUDUBON SOCIETY: 874-3904 / columbia-audubon.missouri.org Meet 3rd Wed 7:30 pm, Unitarian Church, 2615 Shepard Blvd.
BIG CANOE: 573-875-8590 / bryce_crispies@yahoo.com / http://www.bigcanoemo.org/ - Saturday workdays 10-1 at 406 Sanford
BOONE COUNTY SMART GROWTH COALITION: http://smartgrowth.missouri.org/, 1st Weds 7:15 Boone Co Govt Ctr.
CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING: 875-0539 or http://www.midmopeaceworks.org/sustainableliving.php
CHOUTEAU GROTTO: http://chouteau.missouri.org/, Meet 1st Wed, 7 pm, The Casteel Building, 1518 Business Loop 70 East
COLUMBIA CLIMATE CHANGE COALITION: 573-529-9273, http://www.columbiaclimatechangecoalition.org/
COLUMBIA FOOD CIRCLE: 882-7463 or http://foodcircles.missouri.edu/sources.htm
COLUMBIA PUBLIC WORKS VOL. PROGRAMS: 874-6271 or http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Volunteer/Opportunities/#PW
CITIZENS WATERSHED COMMITTEE: (573) 526-8916, Third Tuesdays, 6:30 pm, Daniel Boone Bldg
COMMUNITY GARDEN COALITION: 875-5995 or cgardenc@yahoo.com or http://cgc.missouri.org
ENV EDUCATION WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES: http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/teacher/workshops/
FRIENDS OF BIG MUDDY: friends@friendsofbigmuddy.org or www.friendsofbigmuddy.org
FRIENDS OF ROCK BRIDGE M. S. P.: 815-9255 or http://rockbridge.missouri.org/ Outdoors Bldg, 200 Old 63 S.
GREENBELT LAND TRUST OF MID-MISSOURI: 442-4789, greenbelt.land.trust @gmail.com or http://greenbelt.missouri.org
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY RESTORE: 815-9836, drop off/ buy 1906 Monroe St. Columbia Mon to Fri 8:30 to 3:30, Sat 8-1 1pm,
MISSOURI ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION: www.meea.org
MO NATIVE PLANT SOC.: http://columbianativeplants.missouri.org/, 2nd Mon, odd months, 7 p.m., UU Church, 2615 Shepard
MISSOURI RIVER COMMUNITIES NETWORK: 573-256-2602 or www.moriver.org or moriver@coin.org
PEDNET COALITION: email: pednet@pednet.org or http://www.pednet.org
RIVER RELIEF: http://www.riverrelief.org/
ROCK BRIDGE MEMORIAL STATE PARK: 449-7402 or http://rockbridge.missouri.org
SHOW ME CLEAN STREAMS COALITION: (573) 751-4115 ext 3169 or www.mostreamteam.org
SIERRA CLUB: 875-2916, http://missouri.sierraclub.org/osage/index.htm 3rd Tuesdays 7:30 pm Hillel Found., 1107 University Ave
WILD ONES: 573 882-9909, ext 3257 or email wildonesmo@yahoo.com, http://wildones.missouri.org Meetings 2nd Saturdays.
Answer to BioRegional Quiz - BEES: blue, bright yellow flowers (Legumes, Composites Mints, Nightshades,Orchids, Lilies), BUTTERFLIES: red, orange, pink, yellow flowers (Composites, Milkweeds, Mustards, Umbelliferae), HUMMINGBIRDS: red, orange, yellow, tubular, horizontal or hanging down flowers (Red Buckeye, Salvia, Fuschia, Columbine, Mondarda, Cardinal Flower, Milkweeds). While these are preferred flowers for each group, there are exceptions, so don't be surprised by a bee on a rose.
Feedback - Got an opinion? If we have space, we will consider publishing it. Submit it by email (envstudy@missouri.edu), snail mail (Environmental Studies, 211 Lowry , MU, Columbia MO 65211), or call Jan Weaver to talk about it (882-7116). MU Environmental Network News is published by MU's Environmental Studies Initiative. All opinions expressed are the responsibility of the editor. Any part of this newsletter may be copied for distribution but please give us credit.