Pollinator Decline
USDA Economic Research Service released a new report on pollinators.
A few of the major findings are:
Honey bee mortality, as measured by the loss of a honey bee colony, is higher than in previous decades. But it varies. Annual losses were between 29% and 45% of colonies from 2010-11 to 2015-16. But the overall number of honey-producing colonies increased 9% from 2007 to 2015.
Evidence suggests several wild bee species and some butterflies, bats and hummingbirds have also declined. But the report notes that these assessments are difficult because long-term population data do not exist.
Beekeepers reported that in spring 2015, nearly 45% of colonies were affected by varroa mites, 20% were affected by other pests, and 17% were affected by pesticides.
You can read “Land Use, Land Cover, and Pollinator Health: A Review and Trend Analysis” HERE.