Scientists have found a new prime suspect in the deaths of about
a quarter of America's honeybees, a mystery that could take a
multibillion-dollar toll on the nation's agricultural industry.
Months of genetic testing have fingered a virus that was first
reported in Israel just three years ago and may have passed
through Australia on its way to the United States. The
correlation between Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus and the
mysterious bee disease — known as Colony Collapse Disorder, or
CCD — was reported Thursday on the journal Science's Web site.
Although the scientists behind the research cautioned that they
haven't yet cracked the case, their study provides enough
curious coincidences to keep even the fictional detective (and
beekeeper) Sherlock Holmes buzzing. The economic effect of the
bee disappearances goes far beyond the lost honey: In fact, the
bee industry's primary impact is felt through the crops that the
insects pollinate — products that are valued at $14 billion to
$20 billion annually. Since Col