Potential Cure for Collapse of Bee Colonies

April 30, 2009 -- Scientists in Spain have successfully isolated and treated Nosema ceranae, a parasite that is one possible cause of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) -- a mysterious syndrome that’s caused approximately 50 percent of hives to disappear in recent years.

Since 2004, beekeepers have been reporting the perplexing disappearance of worker bees from honeybee colonies. Pollinator species are responsible for the propagation of more than 90 different food crops worldwide, and contribute to $15 billion of the agricultural industry. Decline of pollinator populations has significant worldwide implications for the future of food supplies and native plant species.

The National Academies have produced several resources on pollinators. In 2007 the National Research Council released the report Status of Pollinators in North America, which established a framework for conservation and restoration of pollinator species and communities and outlines priorities for their research and monitoring, and in March 2007, the chair of the committee that wrote the report testified before Congress on the issue of CCD.

• The Pollinator Partnership
• Atmospheric Environment Journal