Honeybee deaths in the US have reached record highs, with beekeepers reporting an average loss of over 60% of their colonies. This unprecedented decline, highlighted during the movement of hives for almond pollination in California, points to severe challenges in maintaining bee populations essential for crop pollination. Prominent entomologist Scott McArt notes that these losses could affect other crops as well. The estimated financial impact of these losses is significant, amounting to $139 million, with many beekeepers facing existential crises due to shortfalls and increasing honey prices.
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.
Whether these impacts will cascade to other crops remains to be seen; it's certainly possible.
Many beekeepers are now struggling to absorb these shortfalls, with some going out of business altogether.
It's all gone... All that's left are empty boxes. We don't even have the dead bees. They are gone too.
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