Colony Collapse Disorder Symposium Added to ESA Annual Meeting

CCD in honey bees will be discussed in San Diego this December

Lanham, MD; October 17, 2007—A late-breaking symposium, “Colony Collapse Disorder in Honey Bees: Insight Into Status, Potential Causes, and Preventive Measures,” has recently been added to the 55^th Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America (ESA), to be held in San Diego, December 9-12. The symposium, headed by entomologists Diana Cox-Foster (Penn State University) and Jeff Pettis (USDA-ARS), will explore possible factors that may have caused honey bee deaths since 2006, such as pathogens, parasites, viruses, bacteria, disease, pesticide exposure, and breeding practices. In addition, the myths and mysteries of CCD will be discussed, as well as possible ways to combat the phenomenon.

“This symposium will introduce many of the areas of concern for bee health and Colony Collapse Disorder, and it features many of the top scientists who are tackling CCD,” said Cox-Foster. “In addition, the speakers will profile many of the cutting-edge techniques that are allowing us to determine what causes are underlying declines in honey bee health. Many of these approaches are applicable to looking at disease outbreaks in other organisms, including humans.” 

The four-hour symposium will feature a dozen speakers, all of whom are listed at http://www.entsoc.org/ccd.htm [2] along with the titles of their presentations. It is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 in the Golden West room (near the Atlas Ballroom) at the Town and Country Resort and Convention Center.

“One silver lining in the cloud that hangs over bee health is that the public has become more aware of the invaluable role that pollinators play in our lives,” said Dr. Pettis. “While this session on CCD will focus on honey bee health and the implications for pollination of agricultural crops, the need to preserve all pollinators—birds, bats, bees and butterflies—is finally getting some long overdue attention.”

ESA’s Annual Meeting (http://www.entsoc.org/am/pm/2007/AM-2007 [3]) is its premier event each year. Over 2,500 entomologists and professionals from related disciplines from around the world will exchange scientific information and ideas, enhance professional knowledge and skills, and network with colleagues at this year’s meeting, which will feature over 70 symposia.

Members of the media who would like to attend the meeting should contact Richard Levine (301-731-4535 or rlevine@entsoc.org [4]) for a press pass. Proper media credentials showing a direct affiliation with an accredited news organization must be presented.

Founded in 1889, ESA is a non-profit organization committed to serving the scientific and professional needs of more than 5,700 entomologists and individuals in related disciplines. ESA's membership includes representatives from educational institutions, government, health agencies, and private industry. For more information, visit http://www.entsoc.org [5] or write to sro@entsoc.org [6].