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Back to To the Point

To the Point

Mysterious 'Colony Collapse Disorder' Threatens Food Chain

Three times in the past 120 years, honeybees have disappeared for mysterious reasons. Twice since the 1980's, there have been infestations of bee-killing mites. But those episodes have been restricted to limited areas. Since last November, tens of billions of honeybees all over the country are flying away from their hives and never returning.…

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By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

Three times in the past 120 years, honeybees have disappeared for mysterious reasons. Twice since the 1980's, there have been infestations of bee-killing mites. But those episodes have been restricted to limited areas. Since last November, tens of billions of honeybees all over the country are flying away from their hives and never returning. Bees pollinate hundreds of fruits, vegetables, flowers and nuts worth $14 billion, and scientists have no idea why so many are disappearing.Is there another way to pollinate?Is the disappearance of honeybees related to genetically engineered crops?We talk with a beekeeper who's lost 60% of his insects and get a report on a two-day conference of bee experts investigating what's now called "colony collapse disorder."

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    Warren Olney

    former KCRW broadcaster

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    Vanessa Romo

    LA School Report

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    Katie Cooper

    Producer, 'One year Later'

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    Frances Anderton

    architecture critic and author

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    David Ellingson

    Past President of the American Beekeeping Federation

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    Randy Neugebauer

    Republican Congressman from Texas

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    Diana Cox-Foster

    Entomologist at Pennsylvania State University

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