The USDA says over the last ten years, the number of managed honeybee colonies have increased. The bad news for beekeepers is that colony mortality trends have also increased. Bruce, South Dakota beekeeper Richard Adee says while the number of colonies may be up a little bit, the losses are significant.

He says the main cause of honeybee colony losses is due to neonicotinoid pesticides.

Adee says any loss of honeybee colonies negatively impacts all of agriculture. He says Scientists and researchers are working on finding a solution to the problem.
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USDA statistics show that honeybee colonies increased from 2 million in 2006 to 2.8 million in 2016. However, summer losses of honeybee colonies increased to 44 percent in 2015-16 compared to 36 percent in 2010-11.