Old honeycomb contaminated with pesticide residues and a microscopic pathogen are contributing to Colony Collapse Disorder, according to new research out of Washington State University. Over the past three years, nearly a third of U.S. beekeepers' hives have been lost, with much of the blame placed on CCD - characterized by a sudden absence of bees at the hive, with few dead bees and a number of juveniles left behind. These declines now seem to be waning a bit, but researchers are still trying to determine CCD's cause, which has remained elusive. Numerous possible culprits have been named, including pesticides, viruses and parasites.
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