'Zombie bee' invasion hits Washington state

The Detroit News - Sandi Doughton, 9/25/12

Insects infected by parasite fly at night before dropping dead

The “zombie bees” found at the Kent, Wash., home of Mark Hohn, a novice beekeeper, are the first in the state confirmed to be infected by a parasitic fly. The bees lurch around erratically before dying. (Ellen M. Banner / Seattle Times)

Kent, Wash. — The infection is as grim as it sounds: "Zombie bees" have a parasite that causes them to fly at night and lurch around erratically until they die. And experts say the condition has crept into Washington state.

Mark Hohn didn't pay much attention to the dead bees scattered outside his shop when he got home from vacation a few weeks ago. He just pulled out a leaf blower and blasted away the mess. It took him a few days to realize he had an invasion of the living dead on his hands.

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