Mystery solved, sort of

I sure haven't seen a lot of these creatures around lately. This gal and a few dozen hivemates (I presume) were seen working a garden full of coneflowers late in the day last week near my home.

Spanish researchers are convinced the disappearance of millions of honeybees in Europe and Asia is the result of a parasite, not pesticides, pollution, global warming or even cell phones, as previously suspected. The cure is plentiful and cheap. No definitive study has yet been completed on the U.S. bee population, but the parasite is now a prime suspect.

This was taken late in the day on a walk through town. The setting sun filtering through trees cast some nice sidelight spotslights on the bee and flower.

Click on picture to enlarge. Photograph © 2007 James Jordan.