Honeybee deaths have hit record highs in the US, with the unprecedented loss of colonies pushing many beekeepers close to ruin as scientists scramble to identify the main cause of the huge declines.
McArt said that the extraordinary rate of loss became apparent during this winter’s mass movement of honeybee hives to California to pollinate the vast almond crop there.
“We have been seeing high losses year after year but if anything it is getting worse, which is troubling.
Some places are having devastating losses and there was a shortfall in pollination in some almond orchards this year.
The latest honeybee losses are valued at $139m and have come as the honey price has climbed by 5% amid a drop in honey production.
It will take around a month before scientists haver a better idea as to the main drivers of the latest losses.
They bring a lot of joy to people and without their crop pollination we wouldn’t be doing well at all. »