MULTIPLE SOURCES define a keystone species as one whose role in an ecosystem, given its biomass and/or population, has a greater than expected impact on the other organisms within the community. A keystone species is analogous to the upper-most stone in an arch. If this keystone is removed, the arch will tumble to the ground.

Are honey bees a keys tone species? Bees are responsible for the pollination of many of our foods, such as fruits, nuts, berries and vegetables. In fact, bees are said to be responsible for pollination of an estimated 1/3 of all crops in this country. And bees account for 80% of all insect pollination. These insects are so important that farmers do the rent-a-bee thing, and hire bees for their farms during critical times in the crop cycles. Honey bees contribute billions of dollars in added revenue to the agriculture industry.

Bees use pollen for food. They gather an estimated 66 lbs. of pollen per hive per year. Bees make a favorite pure food we love – honey. They produce this golden sweetness from the nectar gathered from flowering plants and trees. Eating local honey can help reduce allergies during the pollen season. Overall, it is said that one mouthful out of three in our daily food intake is directly or indirectly connected to honey bee pollination. Beeswax is used in such products as drugs, cosmetics, and candles.

A hungry honey bee shares this flower's pollen and nectar with some bumble bees. Photo by Christine Barnes, The Northfield News So here’s the problem. Since 1940, the number of managed colonies has dropped from 5 million to about half that, today. In addition, since 1976 there has been a gradual but dramatic reduction in the population of feral (wild) honey bees. Since the 1980s, there has been evidence of increasing numbers of new pathogens and pests (mites) in managed colonies. Then, in 2006, 24 states reported a disturbing development: beekeepers began to mysteriously lose their hives. Some keepers reported losing 50-90% of their hives, sometimes within weeks. In 2010, all but 12 states (Vermont being one of the 12) are reporting significant losses. The recurring event of an entire hive suddenly dying or disappearing has been labeled the Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD).

CCD colonies have very puzzling characteristics: they do not contain any dead bees, and none is found on the ground beneath the hive. The young bees, still in capped cells, remain inside and eventually die, because the adults vanish. In fact, CCD may not actually be a new disorder – documentation of colony collapses in the earlier years is inconsistent and inconclusive. Most active beekeepers have more than one hive. Unfortunately, when one hive sickens and is compromised, bees from healthy hives will rob the weakened hive, taking the disease along with the booty. Then that hive will become sick, as well.

Multiple causes for this disorder are being researched. Most conclusions lead to a possible combination of three factors: first, new pathogens, viruses and parasites; second, adverse effects from the use of pesticides on other organisms; third, stress, including scarcity of/lack of access to nectar and pollen as a result of decreasing habitat, contaminated water, poor nutrition, and a compromised immune system resulting from pest infestation.

What are some of the consequences of this population disruption? Fewer bees pollinate fewer squash blossoms, fewer apple blossoms. With decreased food availability come increased prices for consumers. The almond industry could be especially hard-hit: projections state that by this season, the industry will need every colony in the North America to pollinate its crop. Renting bees is an answer, but if the almond growers need them at the same time the flower growers need them, then there’s a price war. Guess who pays in the end?

In every ecosystem, there is a critter that can serve as an indicator of the presence of pollutants. For coal miners, a canary in a cage served as an indicator of air quality issues. Honey bees are biological indicators. Their status is a reflection of the health of our general environment. Given the amount of responsibility resting on their tiny buzzy bodies, honey bees do appear to be a keystone species.