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Boutique des Sciences > Projects > 2013-2014

Winter bee mortality: an analysis of the causes and negative synergies at work in the north of the Loire department

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L'Abeille Roannaise is a beekeepers union created in 1974 and gathering together beekeepers within the Roannais region (the northern half of the Loire department), the great majority of whom are amateur. The union’s activity does not seem to have diminished over the past few years, despite the current context unfavourable to taking up beekeeping. The winter mortality of domestic bee (Apis mellifera) colonies has become a worrying phenomenon, with France and the Roannais region not escaping this situation. In the absence of any definitive solution being found, the union's expectations regarding this project are that an independent assessment of the subject be carried out, for themselves but also and above all so as to communicate at the local level the difficulties encountered in maintaining their beekeeping activity, by alerting civil society through the press.

Excepting the special case of the winter of 2013/2014, winter mortality rates for bees within the Roannais region are around 30%, or double the “natural” mortality rate. No definitive conclusion was reached to explain bee mortalities for the Roannais region. However, it has been noted that while the pressure exerted by Varroa destructor seems to have diminished over the past few years, the Roannais bee colonies are increasingly reliant on a limited number of melliferous plants, notably the false acacia. Insufficient data prevents us from conclusively assessing the impact of pesticide residues. It appears that additional analyses should be carried out, notably regarding the impact of parasite treatments applied to cattle, the Roannais representing an important cattle-raising region. In addition, the observed presence of Nosema Ceranae within the region remains to be clarified, as this parasite has been closely linked to higher bee death rates in numerous regions around the world.

CSO

Syndicat apicole l’Abeille Roannaise
Représentants : M. Bernard CROUZIER, membre du conseil d’administration.

student

M. Vincent LECLERCQ – étudiant en dernière année, et voie d’approfondissement environnement risques et pollutions, de l’Ecole Nationale des Travaux Publics de l’Etat (ENTPE)

researcher

Academic tutor :
Bernard CLEMENT, directeur du Département Ville & Environnement (ENTPE).

Scientific supervisor:
- M. Jacques STERCKX, référent du groupement sanitaire départemental apicole de la Loire & Madame Monique L’Hostis (ONIRIS – école vétérinaire de Nantes).
- M. Axel DECOURTYE, animateur de l'Unité Mixte Technologique PRADE à Avignon et directeur de l'ITSAP (Institut de l'abeille - Paris)