How can long-distance transport of honeybee colonies contribute to colony stress?

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Honeybee at work — colony collapse disorder A western honeybee (*Apis mellifera*) forages in Italy.

The repeated transport of honeybee colonies over long distances for pollination or honey production is considered a significant source of colony stress. This practice can negatively impact the health of the bees by compromising their immune systems, which in turn increases the susceptibility of the colony to various diseases and parasites.1

When colonies are subjected to such stress, it is suspected that they may become more vulnerable to colony collapse disorder (CCD). Researchers believe that CCD is likely the result of multiple interacting factors, where the combination of stressors—such as transport, poor nutrition, and exposure to pesticides—has a synergistic, detrimental effect on the colony's overall stability and survival.12