A mysterious illness killing tens of thousands of U.S. bees has Alberta beekeepers buzzing about the future of their $350-million-a-year industry.

Researchers in the United States are searching for the cause of the ailment, called Colony Collapse Disorder.

Beekeepers from at least 22 states have reported unusual colony deaths. Some commercial beekeepers have reported losing more than 50 per cent of their colonies.

Kevin Nixon, central director for the Alberta Beekeepers Association, says what happens in the U.S., inevitably moves north.

"Typically in four to five years we start seeing those same diseases and pests showing up in Canada," he said. "That four- or five-year time period keeps getting a little shorter and shorter. We hope it takes longer rather than sooner but we don't know."

Alberta has 250,000 bee colonies, more than any other province. If the bee population in the province shrinks, there will be a drop in the pollination of canola crops, Nixon warned.

The Alberta Beekeepers Association has been closely monitoring the bee situation in the U.S., he said.

"The sooner that they can start finding some answers, the sooner we can get educated ourselves on what to be watching for."

No remains found around colonies

The bee population throughout North America has already faced a decline in recent years because of two parasitic bugs – the varroa mite and the honey bee tracheal mite — that have caused viruses in the bee population.

Particularly hard hit by Colony Collapse Disorder are migratory operations where beekeepers take their colonies to warmer climates for the winter to help pollinate local agriculture.

What separates this disorder from other known colony ailments is that no remains are found around the colonies. Instead, scientists assume the bees have flown away from the hive before dying. Another oddity is that no stronger bee colony swoops in and overruns the weakened hive.

With files from the Associated Press