Where the mites have invaded, wild honeybee populations are down by 80 percent or more - almost to the point of extinction in some areas.

Growers of other crops, who in the past have been able to count on wild honeybee populations, may need to import pollinators as well.

But the honeybee population has dropped from 6 million to 1.9 million since 1950, Dr. Buchmann said.

There is a real possibility that a huge reduction in honeybee populations could occur in the coming decades, though complete extinction is less likely.

Pesticides, loss of habitat and, lately, two species of mites have devastated the honeybee population.

Cellphones may be contributing to a global decline in honeybee populations, according to researchers.

Others hope that different pollinators in the wild will take over the job of the decimated honeybee population.

He said, "We have had more difficulty pollinating our fruit crops in recent years, and that could be a reflection of a reduced honeybee population."

Why are honeybee populations suddenly declining in North America?

By the late 1990's, wild honeybee populations had virtually died out, and commercial beekeeping in many states, including New York, was under serious threat.