The Mystery of Declining Honeybee Populations

Did you pay attention to the video?

What is the main reason for the increase in honey prices according to the video?

• Increase in demand

• Decrease in the number of domesticated honeybees

• Import taxes

• Change in production methods

The decline in honeybee populations is too big to be explained by the usual causes of bee death alone, such as disease, parasites, or ______.

• Starvation

• Pollution

• Climate change

• Predation

What is the name given to the phenomenon where more than half of all hives in the US were affected by mass disappearances in 2006?

• Disappearing disease

• Spring dwindle disease

• Autumn collapse

• Colony collapse disorder.

Exhibit A mentions a pest that invades bee colonies and transfers pathogens. What is the name of this pest?

• Varroa mite

• Lice

• Wasp

• Bumblebee

Exhibit B discusses the genetic issue in bee populations. The lack of genetic diversity in queen bees could weaken bees' defenses against pathogens (bacteria, viruses, pests, germs) and ____.

• Pests

• Spiders

• Deforestation

• Mutations

What is one of the suspected causes of colony collapse disorder in honeybees?

• Lack of flowers

• Pesticides

• Climate change

• Predators

Scientists are trying to solve the case of the vanishing bees because fewer bees mean less pollination and higher food costs.

• True

• False

Which of the following is a consequence of the decline in honeybee populations?

• Higher food costs

• Increased honey production

• Decrease in crop diversity

• More pollination

What is one method scientists are using to address the issue of colony collapse disorder?

• Breeding genetically diverse bees

• Importing foreign bee species

• Reducing the number of hives

• Increasing pesticide use