Beekeepers Reporting Severe, Nationwide Honey Bee Losses

The Honey Bee Health Coalition reports that beekeepers nationwide have discovered sudden and significant colony losses over the winter. Information gathered from 234 beekeepers found average recent losses well over 50%. When these losses are combined with colony losses over the past 12 months, many beekeepers at a loss rate of 70% to 100%, according to the coalition. A collaborative effort between Project Apis m., American Beekeeping Federation, American Honey Producers Association, apiculture extension programs, and individual beekeepers is collecting sample materials from hives to try and determine the cause of the losses and will share information on social media and through public announcements as it becomes available. Project Apis m. plans a free public webinar in early March by scientists who collected and analyzed samples.