Honey bees are decreasing in number, according to the 11th Annual National
Survey of Honey Bee Colonies conducted in the U.S. Thus, farmers and
researchers are working together to devise techniques to protect the
well-being of honey bees.

Experts think that the leading contributor to the honey bee losses is the
Varroa mite, a parasite that attaches to the body of a honey bee or honey
bee larva, weakening the bee's immune system and spreading viruses. Thus,
scientists at Monsanto developed a product to stop the infestation and
improve bee health and survival.

The product is fed to honey bees in a sugar syrup that can decrease or
silence gene activity through RNA interference, which suppresses the mite's
gene without harming the honey bees. This approach also aims to decrease the
use of pesticides in honey bee colonies. The product is under field trial in
beekeeping areas of North America.

[croplife.org]