The Mysteriously Disappearing Honeybees

Honeybees ­­ the tiny farm workers responsible for dozens of crops, from almonds to cherries have been dying off at alarming rates for more than two decades. Recently honeybee deaths have spiked ­­ beekeepers report they lost more than 40 percent of their hives in the past year. Scientists point to a number of possible explanations. Whatever the cause, honeybee services are worth about $10 to $15 billion a year to the agriculture industry. A White House task force has proposed planting wildflowers along pollination routes to help the ailing bees. But many environmentalists are more concerned about pesticide use. We explore the worrisome trend with honeybees and the multi­-billion-dollar agriculture industry that depends on them.