According to a survey administered by Auburn University involving 1,652 beekeepers with 340,000 colonies, losses spiked over the period April 2023, to April 2024 affecting 55 percent of managed colonies.  This was 15 percent higher than the 13-year average loss rate of 40 percent.

Apiarists attribute losses to infestation with varroa mites although other factors including toxic agricultural chemicals including neonicotinamides and viral infections may be involved.  According to the Auburn Bee Lab, losses occurred among commercial beekeepers’ contrary to the finding in previous years during which backyard hives were more affected by colony collapse disorder.

The sharp decline over the 2023-2024 period is a reverse from recent years that showed a decline in losses.  Honeybee colonies in the U.S. peaked at 3.5 million in 1989 declining to 2.3 million in 2008 but with a small increase to 2.5 million in 2023. During 2023 the prevalence of varroa mite infestation attained 70 percent of colonies in South Dakota, 62 percent in Alabama, and 60 percent in Texas.

Apart from impacting the volume of honey produced, bees are essential pollinators of many crops including fruit, nuts and soybeans.