Colony Collapse Disorder

Pronunciation
/KOL-uh-nee Kuh-LAPS dis-AWR-der/
Category
Disease
Singular
Colony Collapse Disorder
Plural
Colony Collapse Disorders

Definition

A phenomenon in which worker bees from a beehive or European honey bee colony abruptly disappear, leading to the collapse of the hive.

Etymology

Derived from 'colony', referring to a group of bees, 'collapse', indicating a sudden failure, and 'disorder', indicating a disruption of normal functions.

Example

The beekeeper was devastated when his hives were affected by Colony Collapse Disorder, resulting in the loss of most of his bees.

Synonyms

Related Terms

Usage Notes

Colony Collapse Disorder has raised significant concern due to its impact on pollination services and the agricultural industry, with various factors like pesticides, pathogens, and environmental stressors believed to contribute to its occurrence.