What disease is known for causing the complete collapse of a bee colony?

Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) is characterized by the sudden disappearance of a large number of worker bees from a hive, leading to the rapid decline and eventual collapse of the entire bee colony. The defining feature of CCD is that affected colonies typically show a lack of adult bees, while the queen and brood might still be present. The phenomenon is attributed to multiple stressors affecting bee health, including but not limited to pesticides, parasites, pathogens, and environmental changes.

In contrast, American Foulbrood and European Foulbrood are bacterial diseases that primarily affect the larvae and result in a gradual decline due to disease rather than the sudden loss of adult bees associated with CCD. Varroa Mite Infestation, while devastating and a significant threat to bee colonies, leads to weakened bees through parasitism and the spread of viruses, but does not encapsulate the phenomenon of sudden colony collapse in the same manner that CCD does. Understanding CCD is crucial for beekeepers as it highlights the multifaceted nature of bee health and the importance of managing environmental and biological stress factors.