Beekeepers across the United States are facing a crisis of unprecedented proportions as more than half of the nation’s managed honey bee colonies have experienced unexplained mass die-offs in early 2025. This alarming development represents what industry experts are calling the worst bee die-off in U.S. history.

According to a February report by honey bee research organization Project Apis m., many beekeepers have witnessed 70% to 100% of their colonies collapse over the past 12 months. The report states that “these losses are severe, broad, and may impact food security through inadequate pollination services.”

The financial impact on the apiary industry is staggering, with estimated losses exceeding $139 million. What makes this situation particularly concerning is the vital role honey bees play in American agriculture.

“Honey bees, our number one managed pollinator, are responsible for 75% of our most nutritious food crops,” explained Dr. Terry Ryan Kane, an officer with the Honey Bee Veterinary Consortium and honey bee representative on the AVMA Animal Agriculture Liaison Committee. She added, “Unfortunately, honey bee losses have been devastatingly high this past year, up to 60-70% in some places. Livestock losses of this magnitude are mobilizing bee veterinarians and entomologists to research the causes and look for solutions.”

Reminiscent of Colony Collapse Disorder

The current situation bears striking similarities to the 2007-08 colony collapse disorder (CCD) outbreak, when as much as 70% of commercial honey bee colonies were mysteriously destroyed. CCD is characterized by the sudden disappearance of worker bees, leaving behind a queen, food stores, and a few nurse bees.

Project Apis m. reports that “during recent inspections by field scientists, deceased colonies often died with ample honey stores, leaving small patches of brood, with most or all the adult bees missing. Another symptom has been the rapid dwindling of surviving colonies, often within ten days of passing health inspections.”

U.S. beekeepers discovered the die-off in January as they prepared to transport their hives to California for annual almond pollination. Similar losses were observed in Florida in 2023, where up to 90% of colonies died. Initial findings from that event are still undergoing peer review, but evidence suggests those deaths resulted from a combination of chemical exposures and novel pathogens.

Seeking Solutions

In response to this crisis, the industry has launched a collaborative investigation involving Project Apis m., American Beekeeping Federation, American Honey Producers Association, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service laboratories.

While the exact cause remains unidentified, researchers have noted that common culprits such as winter management issues and high levels of parasitic mites do not appear to be responsible for these particular losses.

Dr. Kane emphasized the broader implications of this crisis: “We know parasites, pesticides, habitat losses, and the ravages of climate change are all contributing factors. Healthy pollinators mean a secure food supply to keep people, animals, and our environment healthy.”

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, honey bees pollinate approximately $15 billion worth of crops annually in the United States, including more than 130 types of fruits, nuts, and vegetables. The outcome of this investigation will be crucial not only for the beekeeping industry but for the nation’s food security as a whole.

References:
Source: https://www.avma.org/news/mass-honey-bee-collapse-may-compromise-us-agriculture
Project Apis m. Report: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/650342507631075013d25a2c/t/67a505a93e1b5b1ba7a4e145/1738868137561/Jan+2025+Colony+Losses+Communication+Final.pdf
Honey Bee Veterinary Consortium: https://www.hbvc.org/content.aspx?page_id=0&club_id=213546