Colony Collapse Disorder

Tree Hugger has an interesting piece about Colony Collapse Disorder. It seems to the author Russ George, believes co2 levels are responsible.

First, they begin to fan their wings to circulate air through the colony and then, if that fails to lower the CO2 levels sufficiently, workers begin to sacrifice themselves one by one, flying to a lonely death. Curiously, 80 years ago bee scientists noted that CO2 was the controlling factor in bee colonies. Later scientists observed that bees exposed to high CO2 become incapable of performing their normally incredible navigation skills and become lost bees. It can be no wonder that with our recently imposed 44% higher CO2, - often 2-4 times higher locally - bees have no means to know that their time tested last gasp means to protect the colony will not suffice.

Mr George does not mention the moving of bees across the country. It seems to me that the colonies that collapse are from the large commercial operations that travel long distances on tractor trailers. Certainly, co2 levels are higher along the highways. IIRC, one large commercial operation has hired a second driver for cross continental travel, to reduce losses. Large mono culture farms can not support a local bee population.