06/03/2025
From the Texas Apiary Inspection Service at Texas A&M University.
Cause of Recent Honey Bee Colony Collapses
USDA Researchers Find Viruses from Miticide Resistant Parasitic Mites are Cause of Recent Honey Bee Colony Collapses
By: Autumn Canaday
Email: [email protected]
WASHINGTON, June 2, 2025 – Scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) are helping American beekeepers solve the mystery behind a widespread honey bee colony collapse and its debilitating effects on U.S. agriculture. Researchers have submitted a manuscript to a scientific journal for peer review based on our research findings that identified high levels of deformed wing virus A and B and acute bee paralysis in all recently USDA-sampled bees.
These viruses are responsible for recent honey bee colony collapses and losses across the U.S. Since the viruses are known to be spread by parasitic Varroa destructor (Varroa) mites, ARS scientists screened the mites from collapsed colonies and found signs of resistance to amitraz, a critical miticide used widely by beekeepers. This miticide resistance was found in virtually all collected Varroa, underscoring the need for new parasitic treatment strategies.
“Our nation’s food supply thrives, and is sustained, by the work of our pollinators,” said Acting ARS Administrator Joon Park. “USDA scientists continue to research major stressors and new parasite treatment strategies, which will help reduce the agricultural challenge presented by the Varroa mites in honey bee colonies.”
In January 2025, commercial beekeepers began reporting severe losses in commercially managed operations. As losses unfolded, it was evident that over 60% of commercial beekeeping colonies had been lost since the prior summer, representing 1.7 million colonies and an estimated financial impact of $600 million.
ARS scientists collected colony and bee samples from across California and other western states in February 2025, prior to almond pollination.
The USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory in Beltsville, MD, analyzed the parasites and pathogens from all samples and focused on individual bees exhibiting behavior known to precede death by minutes or hours. Viruses were indicated in both pooled samples from surviving colonies, and in individual bees showing behavioral morbidities.
“While viruses are a likely end-stage cause of colony death, these results do not rule out the importance of other long known challenges to honey bees,” said ARS Research Leader Dr. Judy Chen.
As the primary managed pollinator, the Apis mellifera, is an integral component of agriculture, providing key pollination services for a wide variety of crops and over one-third of U.S. produce. The value of crops that require bee pollination is estimated to be more than $20 billion annually in the U.S. and $387 billion globally.
ARS researchers will continue to screen honey bees and their colonies for other known stressors and determine the best way to mitigate these stressors, mite infection, and subsequent colony loss.
Here is a link to the original release:
https://www.ars.usda.gov/news-events/news/research-news/2025/usda-researchers-find-viruses-from-miticide-resistant-parasitic-mites-are-cause-of-recent-honey-bee-colony-collapses/
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Regards,
Angela
Angela Steinhauer
Chief Apiary Inspector
Texas Apiary Inspection Service
2475 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-2475
[email protected]
*** UPDATE BELOW*** The Texas Apiary Inspection Service (TAIS) is the sole agency responsible for regulating the apiary industry of Texas. TAIS is a state agency administered under AgriLife Research, a part of the Texas A&M university system. Honey bees are a vital part of the agricultural industry....
