Public concern over the decline of bees, brought into focus by events like Colony Collapse Disorder, has prompted extensive conservation efforts and public interest. This ongoing crisis raises a central question: Is the bee population truly recovering? To answer this, it is necessary to look beyond simple numbers and examine the differing trends of managed honeybees and native wild species. This report details the current status, the driving forces behind population changes, the methods scientists use to track bee health, and the practical ways individuals can contribute to recovery.
The State of the Bee Population
The question of a bee “comeback” yields a complex answer depending on the species being discussed. Managed honeybee colonies (Apis mellifera), which are non-native commercial livestock, are not experiencing a recovery but rather a costly state of artificial stability. The annual colony loss rate for managed honeybees in the United States reached alarming record highs, estimated at 55.1% in 2023–2024.
Despite these catastrophic losses, the total number of managed colonies in the U.S. has remained constant at approximately 2.7 million due to intensive human intervention. Beekeepers are forced to constantly split and replace lost colonies, an expensive process essential to meet the massive pollination demands of commercial agriculture. This stability masks a severe underlying health crisis, primarily driven by the parasitic Varroa destructor mite.
In contrast, the status of native bee populations, which includes over 4,000 species in North America, remains severely threatened. Nearly 35% of assessed native bee species are classified as imperiled. Species like the American bumblebee and the federally protected rusty patched bumblebee have experienced dramatic declines in their historical ranges. For these native species, a widespread population comeback is not yet occurring, and declines continue in many regions due to environmental stressors.
Key Drivers of Population Change
The primary factors influencing bee health are parasitic disease, chemical exposure, and habitat loss. Recent scientific and policy efforts focus on mitigating these threats. The most immediate threat to managed honeybees is the Varroa destructor mite, which weakens colonies by feeding on the bees’ fat bodies and transmitting damaging viruses like Deformed Wing Virus.
Beekeepers are increasingly relying on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies. These combine biotechnical methods, such as brood interruption techniques like queen caging, with selective chemical treatments using organic acids like oxalic and formic acid. The National Varroa Mite Transition to Management Plan, introduced in early 2024, aims to build greater resilience within the beekeeping industry.
Widespread use of systemic pesticides, particularly neonicotinoids, continues to pose a challenge for both managed and native bees. These neurotoxic chemicals can persist in the environment for years, contaminating soil and water sources. Studies show that chronic, sublethal exposure to neonicotinoids impairs bees’ foraging ability, learning, and reproductive success. While some regions have implemented restrictions on their use, the lingering presence of these chemicals in the ecosystem slows any potential recovery.
Tracking Bee Health
Scientists track bee populations and health through standardized surveys and novel technological methods. For managed colonies, the primary metric is the annual colony loss survey, which quantifies the percentage of colonies lost over a given period, providing a snapshot of commercial beekeeping stress. Additionally, researchers use advanced molecular diagnostics, such as RNA and DNA testing, on bee samples to identify and quantify the viral loads and mite resistance levels that contribute to colony collapse.
Tracking the thousands of native bee species requires different methodologies, often relying on public participation. Citizen science initiatives, such as the Beecology Project and platforms like iNaturalist, engage the public to submit photographic observations of wild bees and their plant interactions. This data helps researchers map species distribution and ecological relationships across vast geographical areas.
For assessing wild bee diversity in agricultural settings, scientists are developing simplified metrics. One example is the “BEE indicator,” which allows non-expert users to score local bee diversity based on easily recognizable physical groupings, or morphogenera.
Supporting Bee Recovery at the Local Level
Individuals can make a positive impact on bee health by transforming their local landscape into a supportive habitat. The most effective step is planting native, pollinator-friendly flowers that provide diverse food sources throughout the entire growing season. Specific examples of excellent forage plants in North America include Bee Balm (Monarda spp.), Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), and various species of native Milkweed (Asclepias spp.). These native plants are adapted to local ecosystems and contain the specific pollen and nectar resources wild bees rely upon.
Creating safe nesting sites is important, particularly for solitary native bees that do not form hives. Approximately 70% of native bees nest underground, so leaving small, undisturbed patches of bare, sunny soil free of mulch or heavy groundcover is beneficial. For the 30% of species that are cavity-nesters, simple structures can be created using bundles of hollow or pithy stems, such as bamboo or reeds, cut into 6- to 8-inch lengths and placed in a sheltered location. Finally, eliminating the use of broad-spectrum chemical pesticides and herbicides is essential, as these substances can kill bees directly or compromise their immune systems.