Bret Adee ranks among the top beekeeping operations in America, managing a vast colony of 2 billion bees spread over 55,000 hives. This enterprise has remained within his family since the 1930s, transporting large quantities of bees throughout the nation from South Dakota to aid in the pollination of various agricultural products like almonds, onions, watermelons, and cucumbers.
In December last year, his bees were overwintering in California when temperatures dropped. The bees gathered at the tops of their hives to stay warm. “Each time I checked the hive, there were fewer and fewer,” explains Adee. “After a week, there would be more dead bees to collect… each week brought further losses.”
Adee ended up losing 75% of his bee population. “It’s incredibly heartbreaking,” he mentions. “If something like this happens again this year—though I really pray it doesn’t—we’ll be heading into a dangerous decline.”
It developed into the
largest US honeybee die-off
in records, with beekeepers averaging a loss of 60% of their hives, at
cost of $600m
(£440m).
Researchers have been urgently trying to figure out what occurred; now the perpetrators are becoming clear. A
research paper
Published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), but not yet reviewed by peers, research indicates that almost all colonies have been infected with a bee virus transmitted by parasitic mites which seem to have become resistant to the primary chemicals used for their management.
.
Varroa mites — about as big as a dinner plate relative to a person’s body — move and leap from one worker bee to another. When there are no infections, they usually don’t harm the bee. However, when diseases are present, they rapidly transmit them.
Although varroa mites usually affect honeybees, they can also impact wild bees. The illnesses these parasites transmit have been found to be lethal to other pollinators—studies indicate that the
honeybee viral infections frequently spread beyond their usual boundaries
viruses affecting bees sometimes extend into new areas
outbreaks of viruses in bee populations often expand outward
cases of virus transmission among honeybees occasionally go beyond control
infections caused by viruses in beehives tend to spread further
epidemics involving honeybee pathogens often move outside their original range
viral incidents within bee colonies frequently cross into adjacent regions
contagious diseases among bees can sometimes reach wider locations
the spread of viruses in bee communities often exceeds initial limits
pathogens impacting honeybees may transfer to different zones
to untamed communities, potentially leading to broader impacts on ecological diversity.
It was just a question of when resistance to amitraz, the last viable chemical, would emerge.
Norman Carreck, bee expert
Every beekeeper participating in the USDA test utilized amitraz, a chemical commonly applied in the industry to eliminate mites. However, the study found that all mites examined had developed resistance to it; following extensive usage over many years, amitraz seems ineffective anymore. This finding highlights “the critical requirement for innovative management approaches against this pest,” according to scientists.
According to scientists, mite populations have reached significant amounts based on recent studies where they gathered numerous samples from both deceased and active beehives across 113 colonies. “If mites aren’t managed properly, dangerous viruses tend to spread more easily,” the experts mention.
Since the 1980s, varroa
Mites around the world have become resistant to at least four major acaricides.
– insecticides designed to target mites that are difficult to manage – posing major challenges for apiarists.
Norman Carreck, a senior technician from the University of Sussex, who did not participate in the study, states: “Unfortunately, significant declines in honeybee colonies were bound to happen in the U.S. eventually.”
“It was just a matter of time before extensive resistance to amitraz, the last viable synthetic pesticide, would emerge,” he states.
However, the finding of amitraz-resistant mites in hives doesn’t imply that these mites were solely accountable for all the significant bee losses from last year. It’s probable that multiple elements contribute to ongoing hive collapses across the U.S., such as shifting weather patterns, contact with insecticides, and reduced availability of pollen and nectar due to increased monoculture agriculture. Numerous
American beekeepers currently anticipate losing 30% of their colonies.
or more every year.
These broader combined elements also have severe consequences for wild pollinators and indigenous bee species—and honeybees, which are regularly watched over by their caretakers, might serve as an indicator of threats impacting insects overall.
Most bee colonies carry these viruses, yet they cause serious damage mainly when the hive is under stress.
Prof Dave Goulson
Paul Hetherington
,
According to Buglife, a charitable organization, honeybees can essentially be considered “domesticated animals” rather than wild ones, yet they experience similar challenges as their wild counterparts, including the loss of suitable habitats, climate-related pressures, exposure to chemicals, and artificial lighting.
Adee states, “We dealt with mites for 20 years, and our losses never exceeded 3%.” He thinks there is a “variety of factors” that increase bee stress and make the mites more dangerous.
He references the application of neonictinoid pesticides in the U.S., which negatively affect bees’ neurological functions, causing paralysis and eventually leading to their death. Certain scientists have expressed concerns about
neonicotinoids leading to another “silent spring”
, referencing Rachel Carson’s 1962 publication about how the pesticide DDT affects bird numbers.
Professor Dave Goulson from the University of Sussex states that the research did not find any proof that the virus levels were greater in less robust colonies. “Most beehives carry these viruses, yet they cause serious issues mainly when the hive faces stress.”
He claims that elevated levels of virus infection could indicate poor health rather than being the source of the problem.
Because of reductions in government staff, the USDA team could not test for pesticides in the hives and requested
insect specialists from Cornell University conducting the study
researchers from Cornell University specializing in bees performing the investigation
experts in bee behavior affiliated with Cornell University carrying out the study
Cornell University scientists focused on honeybees undertaking the research
entomologists at Cornell University working on the project related to bees
with the findings yet to be released.
Experts worry that repeated declines in honeybee populations might impact food supply since these insects help pollinate over
100 commercial crops
throughout North America. News of additional losses this year emerged prior to the California almond bloom period, which constitutes the biggest pollination event globally, relying on the work of 70% of U.S. honeybees.
Related:
Excessive fertilizer application reduces pollinator populations by half, according to the world’s most extensive research study.
Danielle Downey, head of the non-profit organization dedicated to beekeeping research
Project
Apis m.
, which carried out the die-off study, states: “If you enjoy eating, you require healthy bees to pollinate plants. Apiarists work to restore their numbers every year, yet they are nearing collapse due to rising losses and expenses.”
“If beekeepers do not succeed, there is no alternative strategy for the pollination services they offer in U.S. food production,” she states.
In the meantime, beekeepers are facing near destruction. When Adee was young, losing more than 5% used to trouble him. Today, experiencing a 30% loss annually has become routine. “It’s completely crazy that such a high rate of loss is considered normal in a livestock business,” he remarks.
Similar to many beekeepers, Adee couldn’t replenish supplies this year due to significant losses. “I’m being very careful with each dollar and cent at the moment, as I don’t want to let go of people who have assisted me in managing these bees over the years.”
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