The Case of the Vanishing Honeybees: A Scientific Mystery by Sandra Markle (review)

This brief but superbly organized title explores the sudden disappearance of worker bees during the mid 2000s. After a short overview of honeybee hierarchy and specialized tasks, Markle lays out the various hypotheses for Colony Collapse Disorder. Could it be a change in habitat, with fewer wildflowers and longer flights across monoculture farms? Maybe the bees are overworked, moved by professional beekeepers to pollinate fields without enjoying adequate rest periods. Perhaps cell phones interfere with bee navigation. Are varroa mites weakening the bees and leaving them susceptible to disease? Could Nosema ceranae fungus be the culprit, or neonicotinoid pesticides? Sadly, the exact reason for the disappearance is still unknown, but Markle discusses the ideas of scientists who favor a combination of causes. Diagrams, photos of scientists and beekeepers at work, and crystal clear close-ups of the bees (dead and alive) draw readers steadily through the five chapters, and subheadings assist in breaking a global mystery down to manageable concepts. Notes on rescue organizations, index, glossary, reading list, and miscellaneous facts round out the title, which stands as a fine example of science writing for newbie science readers—and teachers extending their use of trade books under Common Core.