Investigating 'colony collapse'

Many of the world's bees are dying - but no-one knows why. Matt McGrath investigates the phenomenon of "colony collapse disorder" - and whether it really exists.

Billions of bees have died over the last five years, with American beekeepers in particular being affected.

Commercial beekeeper Dave Hackenberg is the man who first described the sudden, unexplained deaths as "colony collapse disorder."

He explained how he felt when he discovered his hives were dead:

Listen Listen to Dave Hackenberg (53 secs)

David Bradshaw, a commerical beekeeper in Visalia, California, has lost 50 percent of his hives. He explained how the losses were impacting him:

Watch Watch David Bradshaw (2 mins 15 secs)

So what could be causing these staggering losses? Dr Frank Eischen of the US Department of Agriculture said that bees are being pushed too hard:

Listen Listen to Dr Frank Eischen (54 secs)

Scientists believe one of the key issues is the varroa mite - a tiny pest which sucks the bees' blood and weakens their immune system. Dr Eric Mussen, Extension Apiculturist at UC Davis, explains why it is so dangerous:

Watch Watch Dr Eric Mussen (1 min 23 secs)

Not all of the world is struggling with these problems, however. Robin Crewe of Pretoria University says African bees are for the large part unaffected:

Listen Listen to Robin Crewe (1 min 2 secs)

Listen Beekeeper Bill Mattherson explains what a healthy hive is like (3 mins 13 secs)

So what would a world without bees be like? James Hamill, of London's Honey Hive Shop imagines the scene:

Listen Listen to James Hamill (2 mins)

Watch Watch James Hamill's top 10 facts about bees (1 min 32 secs)

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