As bee population collapses, US apiarists fear research cuts (May 19, 2026 )
May 19, 2026 — American beekeeping is currently facing a dire crisis, as the nation recently experienced its highest annual loss of colonies on record.
The primary drivers of this collapse include parasitic mites, viral diseases, and increasing exposure to harmful chemicals. Compounding these biological threats, the Trump administration is moving to shutter its oldest and most vital bee research laboratory as it cuts essential government research. Both commercial and hobbyist apiarists fear that losing this specialized scientific support will devastate the agricultural industry and jeopardize food security. Without the diagnostic expertise of these federal scientists, beekeepers lack the tools necessary to combat the evolving pathogens threatening crop pollination.
| https://phys.org/news/2026-05-bee-population-collapses-apiarists.html |