They are a notorious spoiler of family picnics and days at the beach, even though a spoonful of honey is enough to remedy most ills.

But there could be a sting in the tail this summer for the British bee as a new disease threatens its survival.

In Shropshire, mortality rates this winter leapt from five per cent to more than 40 per cent, with experts warning that unless vital research is carried out the entire population could die out within a decade.

The varroa mite has been a familiar enemy, but the arrival of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) from the United States threatens to wipe out honey bees for good.

Brian Goodwin, president of the Shropshire Beekeepers’ Association, said: “I have never known a worse time. Disease and death is rife and it has forced a lot of beekeepers to shut down.

“A decade ago there were 2,000 of us in Shropshire, now it’s half that. The worry is that in another decade’s time we may not have an industry at all.

“This winter we’ve had enormously high mortality rates in Shropshire. Whereas in a normal year we might expect to lose around five per cent, this year we have seen losses running at more than 40 per cent.

“It is all connected with the varroa mite which has devastated British colonies recently.

“Bees are like humans in the sense that if you are already suffering from one ailment you are more likely to pick up something else.”

Mr Goodwin joined beekeepers across Britain in calling for £8 million of research to be ploughed into the industry. Dr Max Watkins, of honey bee health specialist Vita, said no-one knew the cause of CCD.

He said: “Alleged causes range from harmful pesticides and increased solar radiation through ozone thinning, to falling queen fertility and use of unauthorised bee treatments.”