The recent decline in honeybee populations across the United States is causing significant concern among beekeepers, scientists, and consumers alike. According to a nationwide survey by Project Apis m., commercial operators reported an average loss of 62% from June to February this year, which far exceeds historical trends. This alarming trend could have serious implications for the U.S. agricultural industry, particularly in terms of crop pollination for essential food sources such as almonds, fruits, and vegetables.
Elina L. Niño, who runs the Bee Health Hub at the University of California, Davis, noted that researchers are still trying to determine the exact reasons behind this massive loss of bees. However, she mentioned several contributing factors including pathogens, varroa mites (parasites that feed on bees), and a lack of nutrition. Niño emphasized that with approximately 2.7 million colonies in the United States, these losses are significant for both beekeepers and the agricultural industry as a whole.
Moreover, she pointed out that when combined with thefts, this situation is not good news for beekeepers either. Bees contribute to $17 billion worth of agricultural production annually in the U.S., according to Project Apis m. Therefore, if pollinators responsible for these crops are lost or diminished due to various factors, it's likely that food prices will increase as a result.
The decline in honeybee populations has also made bees more valuable and sought-after, leading to an increased risk of theft, particularly during almond pollination season in Northern California's Butte County. This highlights the urgent need for further research into understanding and addressing the factors contributing to this crisis, as well as implementing measures to protect these vital insects that play a crucial role in our food ecosystem.
[Original Article](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/us-honey-bee-deaths-soar-grocery-store-bills-take-hit-rcna199066) #u.s. #honeybee #deaths [Visit GhostAI](https://ghostai.pro/)
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