Honey Bees
As spring approaches, honey bee colonies prepare for their annual swarming event, a natural reproductive process that remains poorly understood. In an article for Bee Culture Magazine, entomologist James E. Tew reviews the complexities of swarming, from colony overcrowding to queen supersedure. Beekeepers face challenges in mitigating this behavior to protect honey production.
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Domestic honey bee colonies in the United States suffered losses averaging over 60% in 2025, marking the largest winter die-off since Colony Collapse Disorder was identified in 2006. This decline highlights ongoing challenges from parasites, poor nutrition, and habitat loss. Experts from the Honey Bee Health Coalition emphasize the need for better support to sustain pollination services worth $18 billion annually.