The honeybee is the third most important livestock species in the human food chain. Three-quarters of all crops that feed humanity are pollinated by bees. However, in recent decades, there has been a worldwide, alarming mass die-off of entire bee populations. If the decline in bee populations continues at this rate, it would not only result in financial losses amounting to billions, but it would also have catastrophic effects on human nutrition and biodiversity. Friedrich Hainbuch investigates the possible causes of the silent bee die-off and identifies, alongside the Varroa mite, human misconduct and the agribusiness practices of large corporations as its main contributors. He describes the looming consequences of a world without honeybees, but also offers potential solutions to avert the catastrophe.