Scientists identify high viral loads, mite resistance as key factors in recent honey bee losses

Earlier this year, commercial beekeepers across the U.S. faced unprecedented winter colony losses, with some reporting more than 60% of hives perishing, more than double the typical overwintering loss rates.

Hobbyists and sideliners — those who keep bees as a secondary source of income — also saw catastrophic declines, with total economic impacts to beekeepers estimated at more than $600 million.

Now, scientists are linking the losses to high viral loads and mite resistance as they work to develop solutions to protect the industry moving forward.

“This is the worst overwintering loss we’ve seen in years,” said Lewis Bartlett, University of Georgia assistant professor with a joint appointment in the Department of Entomology at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and th