The apiculture industry is calling this the worst bee die-off in American history. Earlier this year, commercial beekeepers across the United States found their colonies of honey bees in near or complete collapse with no clear explanation.
Over half of the country’s managed honey bee hives seem to have experienced mass die-offs. The honey bee research group Project Apism said on February 6 that many beekeepers have witnessed 70% to 100% of their colonies collapse over the previous 12 months due to these losses and honey bee die-off occurrences at other times of the year.
“These losses are severe, broad, and may impact food security through inadequate pollination services,” the report states. The report added that financial losses to the apiary industry are estimated to be well over $139 million.
Honeybees pollinate $15 billion worth of crops in the United States each year, including more than 130 types of fruits, nuts, and vegetables, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
U.S. beekeepers learned of the die-off in January as they readied their hives for transportation to California for annual almond pollination.
Project Apis m. says this event is reminiscent of the 2007-08 colony collapse disorder (CCD) outbreak, when as much as 70% of a commercial honey bee colony was suddenly destroyed. CCD is where most worker bees in a honey bee colony mysteriously disappear, leaving behind a queen, food stores, and a few nurse bees.
“During recent inspections by field scientists, deceased colonies often died with ample honey stores, leaving small brood patches, with most adult bees missing. Another symptom has been the rapid dwindling of surviving colonies, often within ten days of passing health inspections,” the Project Apis m. report states.
Similar losses were previously recorded in 2023 in Florida, where up to 90% of colonies died. Initial findings from that event are still undergoing peer review, but the evidence suggests the deaths were due to a mix of chemical exposures and novel pathogens.
Source: AVMA News
Imade Credit: FreePik
