London, June 9 (IANS) A parasitic mite that is killing honey bee colonies around the world through a virus has been identified, a media report said.
Bee populations have been falling rapidly in many countries, fuelled by a phenomenon known as colony collapse disorder.
Many suspects have been named for bee colony collapse, including popular pesticides.
Now University of Sheffield scientists studied the impact of a parasitic mite in Hawaii and concluded that it is a prime suspect, since it spreads viruses while feeding on hemolymph, or bee's "blood", Daily Mail reported Friday.
The threat to bee populations extends across much of Europe and the United States to Asia, South America and the Middle East, experts say. Bees are important pollinators of flowering plants, including many fruit and vegetable crops.
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