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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

    • KCRW placeholder

      Vanessa Romo

      LA School Report

    • KCRW placeholder

      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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