Colony Collapse Disorder is the all-encompassing title given to the myriad problems facing honeybees and their keepers, such as viruses, varroa mites (virus spreaders as well as blood suckers), tracheal mites, a new strain of fungus, Nosema ceranae, in addition to a number of pests and diseases that have plagued bees for years. Bees are also being affected by a lack of bee pasture, due to recent droughts, urbanization, and the planting of corn, a poor plant for bees, in what were formerly clover and alfalfa fields. Many beekeepers believe that the new neonicotinyl ­insecticide imidacloprid is a major factor […]