The United Nations index of food prices hit an all time high just a fortnight ago, and many experts are tipping the decline in beehives as a contributing factor in global food worries.

Around one third of vitamins, antioxidants and calories are provided by bees through the pollination process.

However, the spread of the mystery virus “Colony Collapse Disorder” or “Apian Atrophy” has decimated bee populations around the world, in some areas by as much as 35 percent.

While the cause of CCD is still unknown, many are putting it down to the use of agricultural pesticides and chemicals in crop spraying.

Whatever the cause, Bee expert Rueben Virwijes says the global community cannot afford to waste any more time.

"The importance of the honey bee is that it supports about 1/3 of global food production.

"So pollination by the honey bee impacts up to 90 crops, and those crops that have a high nutritional value and high economic value as they are the more variable crops."

Mr Virwijes says the spread of CCD around the world has been much faster than expected, worsening the food security fears in many producing countries.

"What it could potentially mean is that if it’s a problem only for the US and Europe, then some crops may only  be grown around the rest of the world.

"It spreads on the global scale then it may end up that some crops may not be grown at all but that’s a more extreme scenario."

Rueben Virwijes says Apian Atrophy is potentially a bigger threat than global warming, but can be solved if governments act fast.

For more information on Colony Collapse Disorder, click on the USDA's Agricultural Research Service Q&A, here.