News

Bee Blight Hard to Predict

Even though the colony collapse disorder that has decimated commercial honeybee populations in many states over the past two years has not appeared in our area, a big question on the mind of biologists and natural areas managers is what effect a honeybee die-off in Illinois might have on our prairies and woodlands, not to mention crops. Researchers say that a lack of data, combined with the great diversity in our local natural areas, makes it difficult to predict the effect of a honeybee die-off.

The only insects known to have been affected by colony collapse disorder are managed hives of European honeybees (Apis melliflora), which are widely used for commercial crop pollination. These bees also occur in feral populations and are among a great army of insect species that pollinate native plants. But just how important they are is not well known. Because honeybees are not native, indigenous plant populations don’t depend exclusively on them for pollination.

Each plant depends on its own mix of pollinators. In addition, many other factors affect flowering and seed production, including year-to-year weather changes, said Noel Pavlovic, a plant ecologist at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

The honey industry and agricultural production, which rely on managed hives, are most at risk, but scientists say that the removal of millions of insects from the pool of potential pollinators could have some impact on natural ecosystems.

“There would probably be some effect, but not likely a devastating effect,” said Jim Louderman, entomologist at The Field Museum of Natural History. Any impact would be unevenly spread across our diverse natural areas, and, indeed, it may be difficult to discern from normal annual variations.

Even though neighboring states are seeing some colony collapse disorder on a limited scale, it’s impossible to say whether it is headed our way because the causes remain unidentified, according to Gene Robinson, professor of entomology at the University of Illinois. Robinson added that native insects likely wouldn’t be able to replace the European honeybees in pollinating agricultural fields.

A national working group of scientists, academic researchers, industry representatives, and state and federal regulatory officials is trying to solve the puzzle. Potential causes for the disorder include viruses and fungi, pesticides and other pollutants, and even stress-related issues causing some sort of immunosuppression.

— Ron Trigg