Beekeeping

Without a trace, something is causing bees to vanish by the

thousands. But a new task force hopes to finger the culprit and

save the valuable crops that rely on the insects. With rising

food costs this is another problem that has to be addressed.

The pollination of crops by bees is responsible for a third of the food produced in the US.

One in every three mouthfuls has been touched by their tiny feet; but our six-legged friends are in trouble.

They are getting sick and leaving their hives. Without bees, food gets more expensive - some products could disappear altogether.

Colony collapse disorder (CCD) emerged last year, and by spring 2007 bees were dying in huge numbers - over the year as a whole the total bee population fell by 30%.

Some beekeepers lost closer to 90%, and the fear is it will get worse.

Latest reports now seem to lead to air pollution which prevents

bees from locating scents from plants they would normally

pollinate. There now is a new generation of beekeepers being created as the need is now so great.