A recent study published by the journal mBio provides evidence that a plant virus which typically affects tobacco plants and soybeans may play a role in the die-off of honeybee colonies. The study states that honeybees exposed to pollen infected with the virus known as tobacco ringspot can become infected with the virus, becoming widespread in the bee’s bodies. The virus was also found in Varroa mites – beehive pests that are also suspected of contributing to honeybee colony die-off. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that one third of the human diet comes from insect-pollinated foods of which honeybees pollinate 80%. Over the winter of 2012/13 experts estimate that one third of all honeybee colonies in the U.S. were lost.
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