Bees Vanish, and Scientists Race for Reasons

Researchers are scrambling to determine the reasons behind the disappearance of 25 percent of US honey bees – as well as colony crashes in Europe and South America, which may or may not be linked. Culprits could include viruses, funguses or pesticides. Honeybees are the principal pollinators of hundreds of crops and essential for fruits, vegetables, flowers and nuts – and the insect’s decline could devastate huge segments of the agriculture industry. Genetic and chemical testing is underway, as some in the US rely on bees from Australia. As long as the disappearance of bees remains a mystery, global attention will focus on all possible sources – from agrochemicals to development practices. – YaleGlobal