![A varroa mite feeds on a honeybee. The mites spread viruses and activate those already present in bees, causing bees to get sick and entire colonies to die. Researchers believe varroa mites might be contributing to CCD.](https://secure.caes.uga.edu/news/multimedia/images/529/varroa-mitecllrz.jpg)
Mites key to bee problem
Nearly 30 percent of all honeybees literally disappeared last winter, fleeing their hives never to return. Researchers have studied colony collapse disorder since it was identified in 2006. They are now uncovering answers to this problem.