colony collapse disorder

Introduction & Top Questions
History of CCD and its economic impact
Suspected causes
Interventions for honeybee health

References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

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What's causing the mysterious mass death of honeybees?

Why bees are important to the environment

Related Questions

How are pesticides suspected of contributing to colony collapse disorder?
How can Nosema infections weaken honeybee colonies?
How can colony stress weaken honeybee immune systems?
How can honeybee genome research help scientists study colony collapse disorder?
How can long-distance transport of honeybee colonies contribute to colony stress?
How can milder winters increase varroa mite infestations?
How can neonicotinoid insecticides affect honeybee homing ability?
How can neonicotinoids affect the immune systems of honeybees?
How can poor nutrition increase a honeybee colony's vulnerability to disease?
How could a major loss of bees affect food webs and ecosystems?
How do eastern honeybees defend themselves against varroa mites?
How do honeybee colony losses affect almond production in California?
How do screened sticky bottom boards help beekeepers monitor varroa mites?
How do varroa mites spread between western honeybee colonies?
How does deformed wing virus harm honeybees?
What remains inside a hive after a colony collapse disorder event?
What role did the U.S. Department of Agriculture play in investigating colony collapse disorder?
When was colony collapse disorder first reported in the United States?
Where were the first reported colony collapse disorder losses observed in 2006?
Which countries reported major honeybee losses after colony collapse disorder was reported in the United States?
Which neonicotinoid pesticides have been associated with colony collapse disorder?
Why are male varroa mites rarely seen on adult honeybees?
Why can pollinating crops with limited nutritional value stress honeybee colonies?
Why do scientists think several stressors may contribute to colony collapse disorder?
Why do untreated varroa mite infestations often destroy honeybee colonies?
Why do wax moths and small hive beetles invade colony collapse disorder hives more slowly than expected?
Why does genetic diversity help honeybee colonies survive?
Why is honey robbing by nearby colonies delayed in hives affected by colony collapse disorder?
Why is it impossible to completely eradicate varroa mites from an infected honeybee colony?
What is Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD)?
What are some suspected causes of CCD?
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External Websites

Natural Resources Defense Council - The Buzz About Colony Collapse Disorder
National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - Colony Collapse Disorder: A Descriptive Study
United States Environmental Protection Agency - Colony Collapse Disorder

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Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.

colony collapse disorder (CCD) - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

colony collapse disorder

biology

Also known as: CCD

Written by

Mike Hood

Professor of Entomology, Clemson (S.C.) University; Extension and Research Apiculturist.

Mike Hood

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....

Britannica Editors

History

colony collapse disorder (CCD), disorder affecting honeybee colonies that is characterized by sudden colony death, with a lack of healthy adult bees inside the hive. Although the cause is not known, researchers suspect that multiple factors may be involved. The disorder appears to affect the adult bees’ ability to navigate. They leave the hive to find pollen and never return. Honey and pollen are usually present in the hive, and there is often evidence of...

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