Fauna Journal Entry

Mites Threaten Honeybees (February 4, 2005)

Honeybees across the United States are under attack from tiny pinhead-sized mites. Beekeeepers say the infestation has taken a huge toll. Between 10 and 50 percent of the nation's honeybees may have already been killed by mites.

Bee experts say the mites likely arrived in the United States from Asia in the mid-1980s. Since then, they've made their way across the nation. They reproduce quickly and appear to have developed resistance to pesticides.

Farmers that rely on bees to pollinate their crops are worried about this year's harvests. The disaster could hurt over 100 crops across the country. California's almonds are one of the crops most in danger. The nuts are the state's biggest farm export, bringing in about $1 billion each year. The mites are also causing big worries for people in the honey business.

So far, nothing has worked to stop the infestation from spreading. Researchers are trying to find ways to kill the mites without harming the bees. They've experimented with plant oils and natural mite-fighting compounds produced by some bees. They're also studying ways of breeding bees that are more mite-resistant.