Clarity on Honey Bee Collapse?

The article discusses how the worldwide collapse of honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies continues to puzzle researchers and the beekeeping industry. According to the authors, a historical survey suggests that extensive colony losses are not unusual events and have occurred repeatedly over many centuries and in various locations. They suggest that the concern over colony collapse in the U.S. is a result of the honey bees' vital role in U.S. agriculture. Topics include a brief historical overview of colony collapse disorder (CCD) in the U.S., various CCD hypotheses, such as the use of genetically-modified crops, and the impact of pathogenic organisms, such as the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor on honey bee colonies.