TOM MAST Star-Tribune staff writer | Posted: Thursday, July 19, 2007 12:00 am
Beekeepers in 12 counties were hit with suspected colony collapse disorder this year, a Wyoming Department of Agriculture survey shows.
Colony collapse disorder is the name for a rapid dwindling of honeybee colonies. Hank Uhden, manager of the Wyoming Department of Agriculture's Technical Services Division, said the cause of the disorder remains a mystery. Theories about contributing factors have included viruses, pesticides, parasites, and even genetically modified crops and cell phone towers.
Among respondents who reported the possible disorder, a beekeeper in Sweetwater County reported a colony loss of 80 percent. Three respondents in Sheridan County recorded average losses of 61.6 percent, while one beekeeper in Laramie County reported a 60 percent loss.
Beekeepers in Fremont, Uinta, Park, Crook, Albany, Natrona, Johnson, Washakie and Hot Springs counties also reported colony collapse disorder losses.
The survey indicated that while the suspected disorder was relatively widespread in Wyoming, the number of beekeepers reporting the problem in any one county typically was small. Fremont County had the most responses with six. In each of six affected counties, only one beekeeper reported possible losses to the disorder. The average loss was 43.8 percent.
In addition, 80 percent of respondents to the survey said they didn't think they had been affected by the problem this year.
"We are not a fruit and nut and melon producing state, like California," Uhden said, "so the impact is limited in scope."
At the same time, he added, the disorder does represent a threat to the state's honey producers.
Overall, 35.5 percent of respondents reported more colony loss this year than in a normal year, while 64.5 percent reported no more loss. What loss was considered "normal" ranged from zero to 25 percent, with an average of 12 percent.
Most beekeepers said they are not experiencing increases in American foulbrood or varroa and tracheal mites, which are other pests that affect the health of hives.
The Wyoming Department of Agriculture has not yet detected red imported fire ant or the small hive beetle in the state.
The survey was conducted among 155 Wyoming beekeepers. Sixty-five postcard questionnaires were completed and returned.
A survey earlier this year by the Apiary Inspectors of America estimated that between 651,000 and 875,000 of the nation's 2.4 million honeybee colonies were lost over last winter. While most losses were from known causes, over one-fourth were attributed to colony collapse disorder.
Business Editor Tom Mast can be reached at tom.mast@casperstartribune.net, or call 307-266-0574.