"Bees are an extremely valuable contributor to the overall productivity of American agriculture, but invasive pests, diseases and environmental stresses are putting U.S. bees at serious risk," Schafer said in a release Thursday. "This research will help beekeepers meet the pollination demand for the nation's food supply."

Among other things, the researchers will study the causes of Colony Collapse Disorder, genomics, breeding, pathology and immunology to learn why bee populations are dwindling. Bee pollination contributes about $15 billion annually to U.S. agriculture, Schafer said.

CCD became a concern in the winter of 2006-2007 when about 25 percent of U.S. beekeepers reported major losses of adult bees from their hives, the Agriculture Department said.

The research is part of the Protection of Managed Bees Coordinated Agricultural Project, funded through a four-year grant from USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service.