Honey bees around the world are dying off, and that presents a major problem for farmers who rely on them to pollinate their crops. Bees pollinate more crops than wind, birds or other animals. Bee-pollinated foods account for $20 billion in the US, which is about one-third of all the food eaten. Here is a news report on these issues:

Fall Dwindle Disease was the title given to the phenomenon of the vanishing bees before it was given the name, Colony Collapse Disorder [aka CCD]. It was called this because the mystery was noted - and information collated - in the 'fall' of 2006. When scientists realised that it was not just a seasonal occurrence it was renamed CCD.


Some reports on Fall Dwindle Disease:

from The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association

from The Independent (UK Newspaper)

from Canadian Honey Council

Colony Collapse Disorder is filtering through to the popular media. Here we find mentions of 'disappearing bees' in the popular sci~fi show, DOCTOR WHO. So far it's been mentioned in three episodes this year.

And here it is mentioned in the trailer for the new M. Night Shyamalan film, THE HAPPENING.

Although this isn't strictly CCD the following clip demonstrates what would happen if the Bees all disappeared. Granted the little guys here, in Jerry Seinfeld's THE BEE MOVIE, voluntarily stopped working (they didn't fly off and die) and the resulting effect of their strike is exaggerated in regards to its time frame but you get the idea - no bees means lots of problems for the world. Let me know if you find more in the world of film and television!

Here at THE BEE-LOG we want to know when you see a BEE. Let's celebrate these little guys while we've still got them. If you see a BEE, get in contact with the following details:

(1) Where did you see it? (2) Was it alone? (3) Date and time (4) Picture (if possible)

If someone you know has seen one, then that's just as good. Pass it on! Please, don't abuse the system though. Don't fabricate a story about a Bee Sighting - that would just be mean.

HOW TO GET IN CONTACT Simply leave a comment on any of the posts you see in this blog. They are moderated so they won't appear immediately.

To start the ball rolling here are my sightings. So far this year I have seen 6 bees in Aberdeen, Scotland - one of which was dead! They all took place near my house so it is possible that they were all the same bee. Most recently, about a week ago, one of those little guys came into my living~room. He hung about for a while and then left. That's bees for you!

Some good news for the Bees? Well in North Dakota at least. Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson says colony collapse disorder hasn't been as prevalent in North Dakota as it has in other places. Here is a news report on these issues:

They've made an ice~cream especially to raise money, VANILLA HONEY BEE. Cynical marketing ploy or genuinely interested in helping the world? Who knows, but they are funding research into Colony Collapse Disorder claiming that 40% of their flavours would not be possible without bees.

Beekeepers in London say the price of honey may rise because of a mystery disease that is killing thousands of bees. According to this report, bees are worth £120 Million to the Agricultural economy. The Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs said: "There is no reason to suspect that colony collapse disorder is present in the UK." Here is a news report on these issues:

The mystery syndrome CCD, that devastates hives in the US, is suspected in Somerset bee colonies. Here is a news report on these issues:

Millions of bees are dying in hives across the US but there is uncertainty about what is causing the deaths. Again we are told that a 'third' of the food we eat is made possible by bees. Here is a news report on these issues:

Bees are vanishing without a trace and the problem has become so big that it has its own name: Colony Collapse Disorder. Here is a news report on these issues:

Scientist in the US are calling for more funds to research Bee Colony Collapse Disorder, which causes bees to fly from their hives and die. Here is a news report on these issues:

Honey bees could die out in ten years as a mystery virus has been killing them off in the UK and US. This report from the BBC tells us that that bees are responsible for approximately a third of the food we eat. Experts believe they could be extinct in 10 years in the UK. Here is a news report on these issues:

Beekeepers in the south east of England have said diseases could wipe out the region's bee population within 10 years. Here is a news report on these issues: