U.S. beekeepers lost more than half of colonies in year ending April 2025
Commercial beekeepers reported colony losses exceeding 50 percent for the 12 months ending April 2025. The same period includes the scheduled closure of a federal research facility that had studied bee health since the 19th century.
nationalobserver.comCommercial beekeepers in the United States recorded losses of more than half their colonies during the 12 months ending April 2025. The reported decline coincides with the closure of a federal research facility that had conducted studies on bee health for more than a century.
Data compiled by industry surveys showed the loss rate surpassed 50 percent for the period ending April 2025. The same surveys tracked colony numbers across multiple states and commercial operations.
The facility scheduled for closure had maintained long-term programs on bee diseases, parasites, and environmental stressors. Its work included laboratory analysis and field studies used by beekeepers and state agriculture departments. The closure ends federal support for those programs at that location.
Beekeepers and researchers have cited the facility's data sets in prior publications on colony health.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
2 events- April 2025
Surveys recorded colony losses above 50 percent for the prior 12 months.
1 source@AFP - 2025
Federal research facility studying bee health closed after operating more than 100 years.
1 source@AFP
Potential Impact
- 01
Beekeepers may have reduced access to federal laboratory analysis previously provided by the closed facility.
- 02
State agriculture departments that used the facility's data sets will need alternative sources.
Transparency Panel
Related Stories
The GuardianWHO Chief Visits DRC as Ebola Death Rate Reaches 30-50%
World Health Organization director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus arrived in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to support containment of a new Ebola outbreak. The agency revised the death rate to 30-50% based on confirmed cases and recorded 10 confirmed and 223 suspected d…
westernjournal.comGreek National Charged in UK With Aiding Iran-Linked Intelligence Service
A 46-year-old Greek man living in Germany was charged under the UK National Security Act with assisting an intelligence service believed to be Iran by targeting a journalist at Iran International.
straitstimes.comJournalists in Gaza to Receive 2026 Golden Pen of Freedom Award
Three international news agencies will accept the award on behalf of their local staff still reporting from the territory. The World Association of News Publishers cited the journalists' continued coverage under extreme conditions.