Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 10, 2026
07:49
Colonial Wig Pancreaticojejunostomy
Published on: March 12, 2019
12.8K
Drivers of colony losses
Nathalie Steinhauer1, Kelly Kulhanek1, Karina Antúnez2
1Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
Current Opinion in Insect Science
|May 17, 2018
Summary
Honey bee colony losses are a complex issue driven by interacting factors like Varroa mites, viruses, pesticides, and poor nutrition. Quantifying the exact impact of each factor on colony mortality remains challenging.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Entomology
- Agriculture
Background:
- Honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies face unsustainable loss rates globally.
- Colony losses result from complex interactions between multiple stressors.
- Identifying and quantifying the impact of individual drivers is challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the challenges in defining and quantifying honey bee colony losses.
- To summarize key drivers of colony mortality and their interactions.
- To discuss the difficulties in isolating the effects of specific risk factors, using neonicotinoids as an example.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current research on honey bee colony losses.
- Analysis of the complexities in defining colony death.
- Examination of the challenges in quantifying the impact of specific stressors.
Main Results:
- Defining a "dead colony" and attributing losses to single causes is often impractical.
- Neonicotinoid pesticides serve as a case study for the elusiveness of quantifying risk factor impact.
- Multiple factors interact, making it difficult to isolate individual effects on colony mortality.
Conclusions:
- Honey bee colony loss is a multifactorial problem requiring a holistic understanding.
- Further research is needed to develop better methods for assessing driver impacts.
- Addressing colony losses requires integrated approaches considering all major drivers.
Related Concept Videos
01:10Line Loss
545
The different configurations of source-load connections include wye (star) and delta connections. The relationship between line and phase voltages and currents varies depending on the configuration. When the source is supplying power, it is transmitted through the wires to the load, and during this transmission, some power is absorbed by the wires, leading to line loss.
Line loss impacts power delivery efficiency in a balanced three-phase circuit. The symmetry in such a circuit simplifies the...
Line loss impacts power delivery efficiency in a balanced three-phase circuit. The symmetry in such a circuit simplifies the...
545
01:18Reducing Line Loss
392
In a three-phase circuit, line loss is an indicator of energy dissipated as heat due to the resistance of transmission lines. To address this, incorporating transformers into the system—a step-up transformer at the source and a step-down transformer at the load—is a strategic solution. Two three-phase transformers are introduced to improve this.
With a step-up transformer at the source, the voltage is increased, thereby reducing the current in the transmission lines since power loss in...
With a step-up transformer at the source, the voltage is increased, thereby reducing the current in the transmission lines since power loss in...
392
01:28Major Losses in Pipes
2.0K
When a fluid flows through a pipe, it experiences energy losses due to frictional resistance along the pipe walls, known as major losses. These energy losses result in a pressure drop, which varies based on the flow conditions — whether laminar or turbulent — and the specific physical properties of the fluid and pipe.
Fluid flow can be classified as laminar or turbulent, primarily based on the Reynolds number. This dimensionless number reflects the relative influence of inertial to viscous...
Fluid flow can be classified as laminar or turbulent, primarily based on the Reynolds number. This dimensionless number reflects the relative influence of inertial to viscous...
2.0K
01:25Minor Losses in Pipes
2.0K
In pipe systems, minor losses refer to energy losses arising from components such as valves, bends, fittings, expansions, and other features that disrupt the steady flow of fluid. These disturbances cause energy dissipation through turbulence and resistance, which engineers quantify to manage system efficiency effectively.
Valves play a significant role in generating minor losses by obstructing or redirecting the fluid flow. When a valve is closed or partially closed, it restricts the flow...
Valves play a significant role in generating minor losses by obstructing or redirecting the fluid flow. When a valve is closed or partially closed, it restricts the flow...
2.0K
01:21Energy Losses in Transformers
1.4K
In an ideal transformer, it is assumed that there are no energy losses, and, hence, all the power at the primary winding is transferred to the secondary winding. However, in reality, the transformers always have some energy losses, and, hence, the output power obtained at the secondary winding is less than the input power at the primary winding due to energy losses.
There are four main reasons for energy losses in transformers.
The first cause can be the high resistance of the...
There are four main reasons for energy losses in transformers.
The first cause can be the high resistance of the...
1.4K
01:57Adaptations that Reduce Water Loss
28.3K
Though evaporation from plant leaves drives transpiration, it also results in loss of water. Because water is critical for photosynthetic reactions and other cellular processes, evolutionary pressures on plants in different environments have driven the acquisition of adaptations that reduce water loss.
28.3K