H.Bee Stock

The document discusses the significance of the western honey bee (Apis mellifera) as a major pollinator in agriculture, contributing an estimated $15 billion to the U.S. economy through the pollination of crops. It details the phenomenon of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), characterized by a rapid decline in the worker bee population, and explores potential causes including environmental stressors and pathogens. The decline in bee populations poses a serious threat to agricultural output and food security, with projections indicating that managed U.S. honey bee colonies could face extinction by 2035 if trends continue.