In what appears to be a honeybee mystery of Armageddon
proportions that has baffled scientists and beekeepers, more than
one-third of the nation's bee population is mysteriously disappearing –
and researchers warn the unexplained phenomenon threatens one-third of
the American diet.
Entire colonies of honeybees are abandoning hives and food
stores, including honey and pollen. In collapsed colonies, adult bees
mysteriously disappear, and there is no accumulation of dead bees. Even
hive pests such as wax moths and hive beetles are nowhere to be found
around affected colonies. Likewise, other honeybees are reluctant or
unwilling to rob the abandoned hives of honey.
Only days before a honeybee colony collapses, according to Bee
Culture Magazine, the colony appears to be strong and fully functional.
Then, it explains, the affliction travels like a wave through a
beeyard.
