Fauna Journal Entry

Honeybees Disappearing in the U.S. (March 12, 2007)

Across the United States, thousands of honeybee colonies are dying from a mysterious illness. Biologists are baffled about the cause of the disease known as colony collapse disorder.

The disease is taking a huge toll on honeybee colonies in at least 22 states. Some beekeepers have already lost more than half their hives.

The impact on honey production and agriculture has been huge. The bees help spread pollen to thousands of plants. Bees and other pollinators such as birds, bats, and insects fertilize three-fourths of all flowering plants in the U.S., including most food crops.

The country's bees are already taking a big hit from a tiny parasitic mite. Recent tests found high levels of fungi, bacteria, and other microbes that weaken bees' immune systems. Pesticides may also be part of the problem. But so far at least, scientists haven't been able to put their finger on the cause of the illness.

Researchers are learning some odd details about infected colonies. The bodies of dead bees are normally found close by the hive. In colonies infected with the mystery ailment, sick bees are flying away from the hive before dying. Infected hives may look normal but have only a tiny number of mature bees caring for the young. Normally, weakened bee colonies are quickly raided by invaders from other colonies. But hives with the illness often go untouched for two weeks or more.