An abundance of theories as to the cause—some credible, many far-fetched—have been suggested, ranging from radiation emitted by cell phone towers, to the use of genetically modified crops, to the coming of the apocalypse. However, a collection of scientists and bee experts known as the Colony Collapse Disorder Working Group, co-chaired by Cox-Foster, is exploring three possible hypotheses: 1) new or re-emerging pathogens, 2) environmental chemicals or pesticides that may negatively affect the bees’ behavior and/or physiology, and 3) a combination of factors—parasitic mites, diseases, and nutritional stress—that could be interacting to weaken bee colonies, opening the door for opportunistic pathogens such as fungi.

“A unique aspect of CCD is that there is a significant delay in robbing of the dead colony by bees from other colonies or invasion by pest insects such as waxworm moths or small hive beetles,” Cox-Foster testified at the hearing. “This suggests the presence of a deterrent chemical or toxin in the hive. Of particular note, we have found all adult bees in CCD colonies are infected with fungal pathogens. These findings may indicate that the bees are being immunosuppressed, but none of the organisms found in these bees can be attributed as the primary culprits.”

To alert beekeepers, the public, and growers who rely on honey bees to pollinate their crops, the College of Agricultural Sciences in late January issued a news release about CCD, which quickly captured the attention of the media and the public. Stories quoting Frazier, Cox-Foster, and Dennis vanEngelsdorp, Penn State–based acting state apiarist for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, soon appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, and—thanks to the Associated Press and Reuters news agencies—in newspapers around the world. In addition, CNN, Fox News Channel, National Public Radio, the BBC, and numerous other radio and television outlets have aired stories featuring the Penn State experts.

While acknowledging that the attention has been somewhat overwhelming, Cox-Foster says the experience has been positive on several levels. “The media coverage has created a lot of awareness,” she says, “causing people to focus on the importance of agriculture and helping them to better understand agricultural systems—where their food comes from and how it’s produced. It also has led to additional sources of support as we continue researching this problem.”