Researchers in Nebraska have found valuable information for beekeepers across the globe. Honeybees, crucial for pollinating over 50 crops and contributing $34 billion annually to the U.S. economy, are at risk from pesticides.
These chemicals can kill bees and lead to colony collapse. With the rise of pesticide-treated seeds, the problem may be getting worse.
Beekeepers often reuse the comb and food from colonies that didn't survive, some of which were exposed to harmful pesticides.
Judy Wu-Smart, Autumn Smart, and Rogan Tokach from Nebraska conducted an experiment to assess how this practice affects new colonies, particularly in producing new queens.
They established two groups of small colonies without queens. One group received uncontaminated food, while the other was fed food from colonies that died because of pesticides.
Results showed a big difference. Colonies with uncontaminated food produced almost twice as many queen cells and were more successful in having new queens capable of laying eggs.
This study indicates that even brief exposure to pesticides can negatively impact bees' ability to produce new queens. The researchers recommend that beekeepers investigate the cause of colony deaths before reusing resources.
They also advise monitoring new colonies for signs of disease or other issues to determine if they should get rid of old food or equipment.
This critical research offers beekeepers insights into better practices for maintaining bee health, ensuring the continued pollination of our crops and the availability of fruits (and vegetables) for everyone.