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Genetically altering symbiotic gut bacteria in honey bees is successful at killing varroa mites, which tend to make bees sick and leave them at an increased risk of colony collapse disorder, according to a study published today (January 31) in Science.
Colony collapse disorder (CCD) occurs when the majority of a hive abandons ship, leaving behind the queen, honey and pollen stores, and young, immature bees behind. Without the workforce of a full hive, the colony fails. According to the US Department of Agriculture, there does not appear to be a single cause of CCD, rather, it is likely a combination of disease, parasites, poor nutrition, pesticide exposure, and other stressors on the hive.
One possible contributor to unhealthy hives are Varroa destructor mites, an invasive species that arrived in North America in the early 1980s. Not only do these parasites feed on the bees’ fat ...
