Honey Bee Colony Collapse Disorder
"Starting in late 2006, commercial migratory beekeepers along the East Coast of the United States
began reporting sharp declines in their honey bee colonies. Because of the severity and unusual
circumstances of these colony declines, scientists named this phenomenon colony collapse
disorder (CCD). Reports indicate that beekeepers in most states have been affected. Overall, the
number of managed honey bee colonies dropped an estimated 35.8% and 31.8% in the winters
of 2007/2008 and 2006/2007, respectively. Preliminary loss estimates for the 2008/2009
winter are reported at 28.6%. To date, the precise reasons for colony losses are not yet known..."