US honey bee deaths reach record high; Varroa mites threaten crops and drive up food prices
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A parasite that bleeds bees dry
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Impact on US agriculture
Multiple threats, compounding losses
US honey bee colonies are dying at record levels, and scientists say a tiny but devastating parasite is largely to blame. Varroa destructor mites have evolved resistance to a key pesticide, fueling the spread of deadly viruses and threatening a cornerstone of American agriculture.If pollinator populations crash, Americans could see higher grocery bills, fewer fresh produce options, and increased reliance on imported foods. Everyday staples like apples, almonds, blueberries, pumpkins, and melons could become more expensive and less available.The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that commercial beekeepers lost more than 60 percent of their colonies between summer 2024 and January 2025, the highest losses ever recorded since nationwide tracking began. That amounts to roughly 1.7 million colonies and an estimated $600 million in economic damage.'These losses are unprecedented,' said Danielle Downey, executive director of Project Apis m., a nonprofit focused on honey bee health. 'Without immediate intervention, we risk higher food costs, disrupted crop production, and the collapse of many commercial beekeeping operations.'Varroa mites, first detected in the US in the 1980s, feed on bees' body fat and blood while transmitting lethal viruses such as deformed wing virus A and B and acute bee paralysis. The USDA's Agricultural Research Service found evidence that mites collected from collapsed colonies across western states were resistant to amitraz, the primary chemical treatment used by US beekeepers for nearly two decades.Bees are critical to pollinating crops that make up about one-third of the American diet, including almonds, apples, blueberries, cucumbers, and melons. The USDA estimates bee-pollinated crops are worth over $20 billion annually in the US and $387 billion globally.California's almond industry alone, which produces 80 percent of the world's almonds, relies on 1.7 million hives for pollination each spring. This year's bee shortage has already raised concerns about the upcoming harvest.While pesticide-resistant mites are the prime suspect, experts stress that bee mortality is also driven by pesticides, poor nutrition, pathogens, and poor hive management. Some beekeepers say fungicides and neonicotinoid pesticides, banned in Europe but still used in the US, further weaken colonies.Researchers are racing to breed 'hygienic' bees capable of detecting and removing mites from their hives. Texas A&M University recently launched the state's first bee breeding center, aiming to produce mite-resistant queens for commercial use.For now, many beekeepers are switching between different treatments to slow resistance and protect their remaining hives. But scientists warn the window for action is narrowing.
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