Beginning in October 2006, some beekeepers began reporting
losses of 30-90 percent of their hives. While colony losses are
not unexpected during winter weather, the magnitude of loss
suffered by some beekeepers was highly unusual. This phenomenon,
which currently does not have a recognizable underlying cause,
has been termed "Colony Collapse Disorder" (CCD). The main
symptom of CCD is simply no or a low number of adult honey bees
present but with a live queen and no dead honey bees in the
hive. Often there is still honey in the hive, and immature bees
(brood) are present. ARS scientists and others are in the
process of carrying out research to discover the cause(s) of CCD
and develop ways for beekeepers to respond to the problem. Why
should the public care about honey bees? Bee pollination is
responsible for $15 billion in added crop value, particularly
for specialty crops such as almonds and other nuts, berries,
fruits, and vegetables. About one mouthful in three in the diet
directly or indirectly benefits f