colony collapse disorder

noun

1. a pathological condition affecting a large number of honeybee colonies, in which various stresses may lead to the abrupt disappearance of worker bees from the hive, leaving only the queen and newly hatched bees behind and thus causing the colony to stop functioning. : CCD

colony collapse disorder

1. A condition chiefly affecting the hives of domesticated honeybees, characterized by the sudden disappearance and death of so many worker bees that the colony cannot be maintained.

Word History and Origins

Origin of colony collapse disorder¹

First recorded in 2006

Example Sentences

Some fungi produce powerful antiviral compounds which reduce colony collapse disorder in honeybees.

From New York Times

The “colony collapse disorder” that you may have heard about in the media is not just the result of some well-known pathogens but also of honeybees being literally stressed to death by ruthless beekeeping practices.

From Scientific American

In the latter case, a class of man-made insecticides called neonicotinoids has been linked to colony collapse disorder and plummeting bee populations.

From Salon

Bee health first attracted widespread attention in 2006 with the emergence of Colony Collapse Disorder, a phenomenon where the majority of adult worker bees in a colony disappeared, leaving their honey and pollen stores and some nurse bees behind to care for the queen and remaining immature bees.

From Salon

Colony collapse disorder is a genuine problem, as it makes things harder for farmers, but it is unlikely to ever truly eradicate the honeybee.

From Salon