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There are two things science cannot explain about bees. Scientists don't know how they fly. And they don't know why so many colonies are collapsing and dying.

Of course the first is an urban myth. Bees are perfectly aerodynamic although new shows their flight is a tribute to "brute force" rather than elegance.

Sadly on the other hand the collapse of so many bee colonies is a mystery. Today I'm off to speak to researchers at in Wellesbourne who are working with in Harpenden (a BBSRC institute) on a study to learn more.

Hives with various levels of disease will be left in different locations so the bees have access to food of varying quality. The researchers will study the impact of this complex interaction between food and disease on bee radar and the hive's general health.

It's a million pound project and an important one. Bees don't just produce honey they are also vital for pollinating our food crops.

To learn more about the problems bees and their keepers face Midlands Today will also be tracking the hives at Highbury Park in Birmingham for the next year. There's a fascinating article here. At this time of year the bee keeper prepares the colonies for winter and it's vital to get that right. Hopefully when they are opened next year they'll all have survived.

It's not just their key role in the food chain after all. The mythical aerodynamic qualities or otherwise of the bee are essential for teasing physicists at parties.

In the meantime don't forget to follow the Farming Today Beekeeping blog as my ´óÏó´«Ã½ colleagues learn the vital importance of dusting your bees with icing sugar. You can also find the British Beekeepers Association .

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