According to the Module for this week annual losses of colonies averaged about 33% each year and 1/3 of this percentage is from colony collapse disorder (CCD). In an article published in Arizona news, a study on honey bee larvae performed by Arizona State University’s School of Life Sciences was explained. The cause of decline, explains researcher is caused by a combination of stressors such as parasites, pathogens, pesticides, environmental changes and malnutrition. The objective of the study was to better understand the resilience of the bee colonies that survive through tough living conditions. Researchers found that when bees are challenged nutritionally by being denied food, it changes the fundamental physiology that affects them when they are adults. They also found that by starving bees during their development, they become more resistant to tough living conditions and CCD. The more starved these bees are, the more susceptible to disease they are. The study urges beekeepers to keep bees as close to their natural state as possible meaning no pesticides or antibiotics. Also to stay away from agricultural and urban practices. Researcher from this study concludes by adding, “the effort of the scientists and beekeepers to understand bees and save bees have resulted in significant enhancement of honey bee health by improving bee management practices.” This might be true but colonies are still collapsing and honey bees are still on the decline. There is always more to do.

http://www.prescottenews.com/index.php/education/item/27488-honey-bees-asu-researchers-study-may-help-improve-lifespan