As if honey bees weren't already in trouble, an accident involving a tractor trailer resulted in the release of over 20 million bees near Idaho Falls, Idaho on Thursday.
The bees were on their way to North Dakota for local crop pollination and honey production. The accident occurred on State Highway 333 in the eastern desert of Idaho. Firefighters were forced to don biohazard suits in order to fend off the swarming bees as they sprayed fire retardant foam to disperse the insects.
The truck's driver claimed he swerved to avoid another vehicle, but the crash, which resulted in the tipping over of the semi, is still under investigation. The driver and passenger fled to safety following the wreck as their angry cargo gave chase. No one was hurt in the accident.
The bees originated from the Idaho-based KatieBee Honey Company. Co-owner Brian Wiggins says the loss of the bees represents around 50 percent of their business. Fortunately, for the owners, the loss is covered by insurance. But for the bees, such accidents are part of a larger problem in which bee populations have seen frightening declines.
Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) is a syndrome that has been affecting honey bee populations for almost a decade. It was first noted in October of 2006, when beekeepers reported losses of 30-90 percent of their hives. Although colony losses are sometimes common during winter months, the 2006 losses were unusually high.
The US Department of Agriculture defines the syndrome as a dead colony that may still house a queen, yet with no adult bees to maintain the hive. Scientists have yet to pinpoint the cause of CCD, yet there have been links to certain pesticides.
But there are other problems plaguing hives. New pathogens have emerged in the form of viruses and fungi; new parasites, such as Varroa mites, have entered the scene; and the lack of diversity within hives has led to nutrition problems among the bees.
And if you think loss of honey bees in no way affects your life, think again. According to the USDA, about one mouthful out of three in our diet directly or indirectly benefits from honey bee pollination. Many crops, such as certain tree nuts, berries, fruits and vegetables depend on the honey bees, which provide diversity, nutrition, and flavor to our diet.
Although honey bees are not native to the New World and arrived with Europeans, our agricultural industries have come to rely on them, as have we as consumers.
And with declines in hives across the country, more bees must be transported via roadways, which sadly, can result in such accidents.