Projects Colony Collapse Disorder in 2008
June 10th, 2008
In this episode of the Agroinnovations Podcast I speak with Maryann Frazier, Senior Extension Associate at Pennsylvania State University and an expert on colony collapse disorder (CCD) in bees. This alarming phenomenon has captured the attention of media throughout the country.
In this interview, Maryann takes us through the brief but intense history of CCD, and gives us a concise interpretation of where the scientific evidence to date is leading us. Her conclusions show us that bees themselves are forcing us to reexamine our relationships with agriculture, nature, and land.
Great podcast! The topic was discussed in great detail, and i hope that she does come back for a second discussion in a year or so.
One question i have is this: After CCD, is the queen left in the hive, or does she fly away and die too? I understand that the queen only flies typically once in her life (to mate), and then ordinarily does not leave the hive again. So if the cause of CCD really is a new virus and/or pesticide load, she should remain in the hive after the rest of the colony flies off and dies. Any ideas here?
Queens will leave the hive to mate but they will also leave with a reproductive swarm. In the case of CCD, often the queen does remain in the hive with a handful of young bees.
ive listened to this podcast. im a student in highschool and for a speech credit, this is the topic ive chosen to speak about. ive been doing alot of research and watching and listening to alot of podcasts. this podcast really has helped me alot.
the only qualm i have is that i cant download it. help? it would mean alot to me.