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10-Minute Presentation

Plant-Insect Ecosystems

10-min: P-IE, Apiculture and Pollinators

Managed honey bee loss in the US: A comparative assessment of survey efforts and trends

Sunday, November 9, 2025
3:18 PM - 3:30 PM Pacific
Location: Oregon Convention Center, E143-144, OCC
Oral Presentation
Accurate monitoring of honey bee (Apis mellifera) loss rates is essential to understand colony health, inform policy, and guide beekeeping practices. In the United States, multiple surveys provide key insights into population size and turn-over, each with distinct methodologies and scopes. This presentation compares three major data sources: the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Honey Report, which estimates the number of honey-producing colonies; the NASS Honey Bee Colonies Report, which tracks quarterly colony losses; and the Bee Informed Partnership (BIP) Annual Loss Survey, which provided annual colony loss estimates from 2007 to 2023. By integrating and comparing these datasets, we explore how survey design and coverage influence estimates of colony health and population dynamics. The presentation will contextualize the persistently high levels of colony loss reported in the United States, offering an update on the overall status of the honey bee population. Additionally, it will delve into the trends observed in backyard versus commercial operations over the years. Findings indicate divergent patterns in colony turnover and loss rates by operation size, with implications for interpreting national trends and tailoring mitigation strategies. We also discuss challenges in harmonizing survey data and propose recommendations for enhancing data coherence and utility. This comprehensive overview contributes to a clearer understanding of honey bee population status in the US and highlights the importance of continued coordinated monitoring approaches to support honey bee health and beekeeping sustainability.