b-radly t1_iwd9rqz wrote on November 14, 2022 at 8:03 PM

Reply to comment by Mubly in The lifespans of honey bees living in laboratory environments has dropped about 50% over the last 50 years, hinting at possible causes for the worrisome trends across the beekeeping industry, according to new research by University of Maryland entomologists. by Wagamaga

There are many factors that would be different between the Yucatán and the US. It would be impossible to say the cause of life expectancy differences with only place names as variables. What data will the tests provide? Thanks

Mubly t1_iwdiai4 wrote on November 14, 2022 at 8:58 PM

Specifically I'm looking at the amount of various pesticides found in honey samples in the PPB amount. The data provided will allow me to really take a deep dive into pesticide presence in the hive and bee death. I chose the Yucatan because there is (supposedly) close to no commercial ag or pesticide use since the bees forage on untamed land. Their life is extremely long in comparison.

You're right in saying there are many different variables that could lead to bee death, and honestly I think pesticide presence is a moderate contributor. In most bee farms I have been to in the U.S. the beekeepers generally lease out bees to use as pollinators for industrial ag, and by the time they return, the vast majority have died and the beekeeper has to purchase more bees.

I think its combination of unsatisfactory living conditions for the bees, and diet mixed with pesticide presence. Most beekeepers feed their bees sugar water so they can produce more honey, thus making more $$.