Honey Bee Losses Not Major But Cause Concern

Losses from managed honey bee colonies totaled 30 percent nationwide during the 2010/2011 winter, according to a survey conducted by USDA and the Apiary Inspectors of America. But those losses are marginal compared to previous years. During the 2009/2010 winter, losses were 34 percent while 2008/2009 accounted for a 29 percent loss. Although the losses are not significant from year to year, researchers are concerned that continual losses of this size could place a strain on the economic sustainability of commercial beekeeping. Read more or view the survey results.