The U.S. beekeeping industry, and thus our food security and environmental health, is facing a crisis of historic proportions. Between June 2024 and February 2025, commercial beekeepers reported an average loss of 62% of their colonies, amounting to over 1.1 million hives lost nationwide. Some operations have experienced losses as high as 100%.
These losses are not only devastating for beekeepers but also pose a significant threat to agriculture. Honeybees play a crucial role in pollinating crops such as almonds, fruits, and vegetables. The decline in bee populations could lead to reduced crop yields and increased food prices.
Symptoms Resembling Colony Collapse Disorder
The current crisis bears similarities to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), a phenomenon first observed in 2006, where worker bees abruptly disappear from a hive, leaving behind the queen and immature bees. In recent inspections, many colonies were found with ample honey stores but lacked adult bees, a hallmark of CCD.
Multiple Stressors at Play
Researchers have identified several factors contributing to the massive bee die-offs:
- Varroa Mite Infestations: These parasites weaken bees by feeding on their bodily fluids and spreading viruses, notably the deformed wing virus, which impairs bees’ ability to fly and forage.
- Pesticide Exposure: Certain pesticides can harm bees’ nervous systems, affecting their navigation and foraging behavior.
- Nutritional Deficiencies: Monoculture farming and habitat loss reduce the diversity of pollen sources, leading to poor nutrition for bees.
- Climate Change: Extreme weather events disrupt flowering times and reduce the availability of forage, further stressing bee populations.
While not currently called out by investigators specifically it’s also important to note the role honeybees play in our modern (American) food systems. Today, the vase majority of our commercial bees are migratory, living on-the-road transported by flatbed trucks around the country to support our industrial agriculture model.
Economic Implications
The financial impact on the beekeeping industry is substantial. In California alone, the loss of bee colonies has resulted in an estimated $428 million in damages related to almond pollination contracts. Nationwide, the broader agricultural sector faces increased costs and potential shortages of pollinated crops.
Innovative Solutions and Ongoing Research
In response to the crisis, scientists are exploring new strategies to support bee health. Researchers at Washington State University, in collaboration with Belgian company Apix Biosciences, have developed an artificial “power” pollen. This substitute contains essential nutrients, including isofucosterol, and has shown promise in improving colony health in trials.
Additionally, the USDA and other institutions are conducting comprehensive analyses to identify the primary causes of the die-offs. These efforts include testing for pathogens, pesticide residues, and other environmental stressors.
Call to Action
The scale of the 2025 bee losses underscores the urgent need for coordinated action to Save the Bee. Beekeepers, farmers, researchers, policymakers and the public must collaborate to implement sustainable practices, enhance habitat conservation, support ongoing research and consider seriously the efficacy of the food systems we’ve built. Protecting pollinators is not only vital for biodiversity but also essential for global food security.
