Latest news with #DanielleDowney
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Economic Times
US honey bee deaths reach record high; Varroa mites threaten crops and drive up food prices
US honey bee colonies are facing unprecedented losses due to pesticide-resistant Varroa mites, leading to the spread of deadly viruses. This threatens American agriculture, potentially increasing food costs and reducing the availability of essential crops like almonds and apples. Researchers are urgently seeking solutions, including breeding mite-resistant bees, to mitigate the devastating impact on pollination and food security. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads A parasite that bleeds bees dry Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'Catastrophic' Loss of Bees Nationwide Is Worrying Experts
The "catastrophic" and escalating loss of honey bee colonies across the United States is concerning experts. A nationwide survey of beekeepers "has revealed catastrophic honey bee colony losses across the United States, with commercial operations reporting an average loss of 62% between June 2024 and February 2025," according to The Honey Bee Health Coalition. "These alarming losses, which surpass historical trends, could significantly impact U.S. agriculture, particularly crop pollination for almonds, fruits, vegetables, and other essential food sources," The Coalition wrote in the 2025 news release. 'Early reports of severe colony losses began pouring in last month from beekeepers across the country,' said Danielle Downey, executive director of Project Apis m, in February 2025. 'In response, a multi-organizational working group—including Project Apis m., the American Beekeeping Federation, and the American Honey Producers Association—quickly mobilized to launch this survey. The goal was to assess the scope and severity of the losses, gather critical management data, and help guide research efforts to determine potential causes.' According to the Mid-Atlantic Apiculture Research and Extension Consortium, a "honey bee colony typically consists of three kinds of adult bees: workers, drones, and a queen. Several thousand worker bees cooperate in nest building, food collection, and brood rearing. Each member has a definite task to perform, related to its adult age. But surviving and reproducing take the combined efforts of the entire colony." Beekeepers are speaking out to local news outlets. 'The concern for beekeepers is that this is turning out to be one of the worst losses nationally that we've seen, historically,' said Dan Conlon, who runs an Apiary in South Deerfield, MA, with his wife, to The Greenfield Recorder. 'What's different about it is that a lot of the people who generally have done pretty well during those periods are doing badly as well," he said in the May 2, 2025, article. The losses are great, the study says. 'Initial survey results of colony losses suggest that commercial beekeepers may have lost in excess of 60% of their bees. The scale of these losses is completely unsustainable,' said Zac Browning, a fourth-generation commercial beekeeper and board chairman of Project Apis m, in the release. 'Honey bees are the backbone of our food system, pollinating the crops that feed our nation. If we continue to see losses at this rate, we simply won't be able to sustain current food production. The industry must look inward and outward for solutions to chronic bee health failure.' According to the site, "The survey gathered data from 702 beekeepers, covering colony losses, management practices, and potential contributing factors. It is estimated that survey participants account for over 1.835 million colonies, approximately 68% of the nation's bees."
