The California almond crop alone may bring in more for beekeepers than the honey industry, according to Martin James. And the relative health of Utah's bees could make them an even more valuable investment.

"I think there may be some troubles and heartaches, but I think it's been going on for a long time," he said. "I think the bee industry is great, and I think that it's thriving here in Utah. We're expanding and hoping to capture our share of the market."

If there is a central message from beekeepers, scientists and hobbyists, it's the need for more information — about what's going on and the role bees play in the world.

"I'm a scientist. I'd like to see the research before I panic," Downey said. "But I will say that in my opinion, the press the bees are getting now is long overdue. Before they were sick, I don't think people realized how important bees are. It's not about whether you like honey. It's really about the food supply.

"Do I think we're going to go without food on our tables? I think not yet. Bees have had problems in the past, and they have been able to rebound. It's very much like agriculture, in that you're at the whim of the environment in many ways. Losses are a part of what makes it hard. But I don't think we're going to see a sudden loss of all our bees. Yet."

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E-mail: jnii@desnews.com