No S.C. honey bees reported lost to mystery disorder
CLEMSON No honey bee colonies in South Carolina have yet been reported lost due to a developing honey bee mystery disorder, but the state is not out of the woods, according to Mike Hood, Clemson Extension bee specialist.
Twenty-two states have been affected by the Colony Collapse Disorder. Some commercial beekeeping operations have lost up to 80 percent of their colonies.
Researchers are working to find a cause and a cure.
The disorder targets adult worker bees which die outside the colony, leaving only a few adults inside. Worker bees are killed in a matter of weeks.
“It is not known what is causing the problem, but so far we haven’t had any reports of major colony losses by South Carolina beekeepers,” said Hood. “However, we are probably not immune to this problem and the disorder may be occurring
at a lower rate in our state.”
Fungus, virus or a variety of microbes and pesticides could be among the possible reasons.
“Honey bees are our most beneficial insect and are responsible for pollinating approximately one third of our food in the United States,” said Hood. “Some South Carolina fruits and vegetables that require honey bee pollination include
apples, watermelon, cantaloupe, squash, cucumber, and many others. They are also important pollinators for many wildlife food plants.”
There are an estimated 2,000 beekeepers in the state who manage about 25,000 honey bee colonies.
