Bees are as interesting, as well as they're useful, but now, they're mysteriously disappearing and researchers and farmers are baffled as to why this is happening. Around a 50 percent loss in the bee population has been reported in 22 states already.

Recently named Colony Collapse Disorder, this phenomenon has decimated commercial beekeeping operations all across the country. But what really sets off this mystery from other bee die-offs in the past are the following clues:

1. Usually, the bodies of dead bees are often littered around their hive, but with the CCD, no dead bees are to be found littered around to give clues about this mysterious ailment. Scientists think they've flown from the hive before dying.
2. Hives look normal from the outside, but when investigated, there are few mature bees to be found taking care of the young.
3. Weakened colonies do not get overrun by the stronger ones. They remain untouched for at least two weeks.

Researchers are convinced that CCD is a real abnormality. They suspect that pesticides, or mites, or poor management by bee farmers must be the reason why the bees are dying the way that they are.

Bees are very important. They gather pollen from the blooms of fruits, vegetables, nuts, melons and many other food crops for the production of honey in wax combs, in turn pollinating plants. Bees pollinate a total of one third of the world's food supply.

With CCD threatening honey and food production, as well as the livelihood of bee farmers, researchers are scrambling to find the culprit behind this mysterious phenomenon.