Bee Shortage: Why Are the Bees Dying?

Scientist Point to 3 Possible Reasons for the Shortage

Honeybees are the most important insect to the human food chain. They are the principle pollinators of hundreds of fruits, vegetables, flowers and nuts. The number of bee colonies has been declining since the 1940's, even as the crops that depend on them, such as California almond, Pennsylvania apples and Georgia peaches, have continually grown.

Large bee losses are not uncommon or unheard of. In fact, they have been reported numerous times in the last century. However, researchers have reason to believe they are dealing with something new; or at least something that is previously unidentified.

Bees are vanishing across America. More than one quarter of the 2.4 million colonies have been lost to unknown causes. According to the Apiary Inspectors of America, a national group that tracks beekeeping, that is tens of billions of bees. Some beekeepers have lost 26% of their colonies between September, 2006 and March, 2007.

Scientist first learned about the disappearing bees in November, 2006. David Hackenberg, a Pennsylvania beekeeper, told Dr. Diane Cox-Foster, an entomologist at Pennsylvania State University, that more than 50% of his bee colonies had collapsed.

The unknown cause of the disappearance that can collapse a colony in about two days is being called "colony collapse disorder". The disorder was named by Dr. Cox-Foster, who is leading a team of researchers who are trying to find answers to explain the disappearing bees. The three most likely candidates at this time are; a virus, a fungus or a pesticide.

So far the documented enemies of the bee world, like the varroa mite, do not appear to be accountable for the strangely high losses, at least not on their own.

This is not just a problem for America. Other countries are experiences the mystery of the colony collapse disorder. Countries across Europe, along with Guatemala and Brazil, are also experiencing a time crunch for answers.

According to Dr. Jeffrey Pettis, an entomologist for the United States Department of Agriculture, who is assisting Dr. Cox-Foster, "The losses around the world may or may not be linked."

Environmental Causes