This document analyzes U.S. beekeeper surveys conducted during 2024-2025, highlighting significant honey bee colony losses and their causes.
Colony Losses Overview
In early 2025, U.S. commercial beekeepers reported unusually high honey bee colony losses, particularly as they prepared for almond pollination.
Two industry groups, Project Apis m. and the American Beekeeping Federation, conducted nationwide surveys to assess colony losses, financial impacts, and management practices.
The surveys captured data from over half of the managed bee colonies in the U.S., revealing that commercial beekeepers experienced losses exceeding 60%, while smaller-scale beekeepers faced lower rates.
Key Findings on Causes of Loss
Varroa mites were the most frequently cited cause of colony losses, followed by pesticides and pathogens for commercial beekeepers, while smaller-scale beekeepers reported queen failure and weather as significant factors.
Despite the prevalence of Varroa mites, no significant difference in losses was observed between beekeepers using amitraz and those who did not, indicating that resistance to this treatment may not fully explain the trends.
Nutritional practices, particularly the frequency of protein and carbohydrate feeding, also influenced colony health and loss rates.
Financial Impacts
Commercial beekeepers expressed heightened financial concerns, with worries increasing linearly with the severity of losses. In contrast, hobbyists showed significant concern only when losses exceeded 80%.
The economic strain on commercial beekeepers was evident, with some reporting losses of up to $1 million due to unfulfilled pollination contracts and the costs associated with rebuilding colonies.
Survey Methodology
Surveys included questions on operation size, geographical location, supplemental feeding practices, mite treatment methods, and perceived causes of colony loss.
The PAm survey received 842 unique responses, while the ABF survey garnered 107 responses, providing a comprehensive view of the beekeeping landscape during this period.
Management Practices and Their Effects
The analysis revealed that commercial beekeepers who reported specific miticide use experienced lower losses than those who did not specify treatments.
Supplemental feeding practices varied, with sideliner beekeepers experiencing higher losses when protein supplements were provided infrequently.
The surveys indicated that weather conditions significantly impacted hobbyist and sideliner beekeepers, while commercial operations appeared less affected by climate variables due to their migratory practices.
Conclusions and Future Directions
The findings underscore the critical role of Varroa mites and other stressors in honey bee colony health, emphasizing the need for effective management strategies.
Continued monitoring of colony losses and the factors contributing to them is essential for developing targeted interventions to support honey bee health and agricultural productivity.
Future research should focus on the relationships between mite loads, management practices, and environmental conditions to better understand and mitigate colony losses.
This summary encapsulates the essential findings and implications of the surveys conducted on honey bee colony losses, providing insights into the challenges faced by beekeepers and the broader agricultural ecosystem.
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