An alarming number of bees are inexplicably going missing across the USA, and if you're tempted to make an alien abduction joke, first consider how important they are to the food supply: "A Cornell University study has estimated that honeybees annually pollinate more than $14 billion worth of seeds and crops in the United States, mostly fruits, vegetables and nuts. “Every third bite we consume in our diet is dependent on a honeybee to pollinate that food,” said Zac Browning, vice president of the American Beekeeping Federation."

A 20% loss of bees in the offseason is normal, but West Coast beekeepers have been losing 30 to 60%, and beekeepers on the East Coast and Texas more than 70%. Is it the cold weather? Mites? Viruses? What's going on with the honeybees?