June 5, 2025:
New research from the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service sheds light on the causes behind the catastrophic honeybee colony losses reported by commercial beekeepers this year. The findings point to an alarmingly high level of viral infections caused by Varroa mites that have resistant genes to a common treatment.
The study analyzed samples from six major commercial beekeeping operations affected by the losses and provided the most detailed evidence of the biological factors behind the widespread die-offs. Collectively, the operations reported losses averaging over 60 percent of their colonies just as they were being staged for California’s almond pollination season. All of the Varroa mites collected tested positive for a genetic marker linked to resistance to Amitraz, the most commonly used mite treatment in commercial beekeeping.
“We can’t keep relying on a single line of defense against Varroa mites, which are quickly evolving,” said Patty Sundberg, President of the American Beekeeping Federation.
April 8, 2025:
Beekeepers across the country are sounding the alarm as honeybee populations are dwindling at an unprecedented rate, a trend that could affect Americans’ wallets at the grocery store. Honeybees are the backbone of the food ecosystem, pollinating 75% of the world’s natural supplies, but a recent nationwide survey by Project Apis found catastrophic honeybee declines across the industry.
Commercial operators reported an average loss of 62% from June to February nationwide. These alarming losses could significantly impact U.S. agriculture, particularly crop pollination for almonds, fruits, vegetables, and other essential food sources. There are many contributing factors that can cause a colony to die, including pathogens; varroa mites, a parasite that feeds on bees; and a lack of nutrition. Bees are responsible for $17 billion in agricultural production in the United States every year. A loss of pollinators would result in food prices going up. Bees, the only insects that produce food for human consumption, have become a hot commodity as their numbers dwindle.
March 8, 2025:
A nationwide survey of beekeepers has revealed catastrophic honeybee colony losses across the U.S. Commercial operations report an average loss of 62 percent of their populations between June 2024 and February 2025. These alarming losses currently surpass historical trends. This could significantly impact U.S. agriculture, particularly crop pollination for almonds, fruits, vegetables, and other essential food sources.
“Early reports of severe colony losses began pouring in last month from beekeepers across the country,” said Danielle Downey, executive director of Project Aphis m. “Our group and others have come together to quickly launch this survey to find out the scope and severity of the losses, gather critical management data, and help guide research efforts to determine potential causes.”
Zac Browning, a fourth-generation commercial beekeeper, says, “Honeybees are the backbone of our food system, pollinating crops that feed our nation. Continued losses mean we won’t sustain our current level of food production.”
Comments