Bee decline has researchers abuzz

Meeting brings beekeepers, growers, scientists together for multiple solutions

By: Katy Weaver

Posted: 4/14/08

Although farmers detest the majority of insects, there is one type that is necessary for their success: bees.

Bee populations, however, are currently on the decline nationwide due to the unknown Colony Collapse Disorder.

Oregon State University wants to do something about it.

"There is a national effort to identify what is causing in some cases, very sharp declines in honeybee populations, specifically hives, which American agriculture is very dependent on for pollination," said Stella Coakley, associate dean of OSU's College of Agricultural Science.

Unless they come from farming communities, many people don't fully understand the impact these insects have on their lives.

Fruit, vegetables and the products formed from each do not just sporadically grow on their own. Bees are required for cross-pollination, a process that yields the development of fruit in many plants.

Without bees, or even with a significantly fewer number of bees, crop yields will be considerably decreased.

"If we did not have an adequate number of pollinators, a third of the crops we eat would decrease in quantity, and most likely increase in price," Coakley said.

Scientists have speculated that there are numerous factors that could be affecting bee populations across the country.

Many things can kill honeybees, Coakley said. In some cases it can be mites or bacteria, or even chemicals found in the environment from pesticides or growth regulators.

Bee disorders were first recognized in 2006. In 2007, there was increasing concern in several places during the spring. However, until this spring there was no evidence that the Pacific Northwest or Oregon had experienced any unusual problems.

OSU does not currently have a full-time professor focusing on bees, but the university is taking other steps to solve the problem.

"We do have assistance available for people who have problems with honeybees," Coakley said.

OSU held a meeting with growers, beekeepers, and industry representatives last Tuesday to address some of the problems affecting the state.

"As a result of the meeting, there is a group of industry representatives we are working together with to make a case for why the state should make an additional investment to help the problem," Coakley said.

"If issues arise that need immediate attention, we need to have the ability to do more surveys and diagnostics than we currently have funds to provide."

Other goals of the committee include determining the capabilities of different West Coast institutions in order to coordinate efforts, and to encourage everyone to support finding a solution.

The OSU Extension Services is already offering screening services for pathogens and pests that are believed to be causing problems in hives. These test for ailments such as American Foulbroud, European Foulbrood, Chalkbrood, Stonebrood, Nosema and several types of mites.

In addition, the extension services created a website "to provide information on honeybee pests and pathogens," according to the OSU College of Agricultural Sciences.

They also made the Oregon Honey Bee Survey 2008, which asks beekeepers which Oregon counties their bees are kept in, what states they have traveled to, and other detailed questions about how Colony Collapse Disorder is affecting their hives.

"Because the problem of Colony Collapse is so complex, it will undoubtedly take a combined effort of multiple states and agencies to find a solution," Coakley said.

"If we don't react and get a handle on this - I'm not kidding - there may not be any bees this time next year," said Beekeeper Eric Olson, in an interview with The Oregonian.

Katie Weaver, assistant news editor
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231