U.S. honey bees continue to struggle

Factors like Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), diseases, parasitic mites and other stressors continue to diminish U.S. honey bee populations. Pennsylvania fared slightly better than the national average this year, however, helping growers meet apple demands. For apple and pumpkin growers the cost of pollination by bees has risen significantly. Meanwhile, researchers at Penn State are trying to figure out the cause of CCD, “a mysterious ailment that threatens the beekeeping industry and the crops and native plants that rely on honey bees for pollination,” according to this report. One possible cause could be the presence of toxic chemicals from pesticide use near hives. Full story: Environmental News Network