The sudden disappearance of honeybees (colony collapse disorder) in many parts of the country might be related to pesticide exposure, says Washington State University entomologist Walter Sheppard. The pesticide is question has been used for the past ten years to combat parasitic mites that plague the bees.
The study should shed light on the potential role of pesticides in colony collapse by the end of the year. Given that honeybee pollinated crops are worth more than nine billion dollars a year to the American economy, there will no doubt be many farmers waiting on the results.
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