CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- West Virginia apiarist Paul Poling says beekeepers are becoming more vulnerable to unscrupulous thieves who steal bees for their pollination services and honey.

Such thieves are potentially devastating to beekeepers struggling to survive following the arrival of varroa mites and Colony Collapse Disorder.

West Virginia beekeeper Mark C. Baker had hoped to capitalize on the rising value of his bees last winter. He shipped them to California for the almond pollination season. Instead he lost nearly $10,000 to thieves.

California beekeeper Dion Ashurst said the sluggish economy is prompting desperate beekeepers, brokers and growers to turn to crime to help bolster their own colonies and profits.

The difficulty of proving such crimes only makes matters worse.