UNL Bee Lab Specialist: Share Information About the Importance of Bees

Multiple factors have contributed to honeybee health decline, a representative of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) Bee Lab related in Auburn Thursday night, Feb. 5.
“Last winter (2024-2025) was the highest bee loss rate in 14 years of monitoring,” Judy Wu-Smart stated at a Conservation Nebraska presentation at the Auburn Senior Center. She is a Nebraska Extension and research entomologist.
Between April 2024 and April 2025, 55.6 percent of colonies were lost, she continued. Tracking began in 2010. The annual loss rate is 41.4 percent, Wu-Smart said.
Combined losses of colonies regionally were 9,795 in Nebraska; 6,067 in Missouri; 4,414 in Iowa and 982 in Kansas, she noted.
Factors in the decline include extreme weather and using chemicals in the environment, Wu-Smart explained.
“Bee losses are not an issue in many other nations. There are some areas with losses but not at a scale the United States is facing. U.S. projections are grim,” she related.
Honeybee health downturn can be attributed to other aspects besides weather and chemicals. They include lack of forage and poor nutrition, management, diseases, mites feeding on bees and pest insects. Climate change gives pest insects more advantages, Wu-Smart said.
“Proper nutrition and providing ample forage is key. There are more subtle affects, not just weather,” she added.
Increasing crop pests and diseases equal more chemicals. Herbicides and fungicides reduce floral resources for bees. Every pollen load a honeybee brings home six to 30 detectable pesticides. The potential impact of insecticides vary, Wu-Smart noted.
The specialist indicated there is a lot of renewed interest in agrivoltaics.
“Many are becoming more aware of the plight bees are struggling with. We can promote honeybee colonies and agricultural production and how they work together,” she said.
What Can We Do To Change Perceptions
Wu-Smart suggested the following:
--Learn more and talk to farmers, homeowners and applicators.
--Spread the word about the importance of bees.
--Advocate for bee-friendly practices and policies.
--If some are not effective, help identify solutions.
--Reach out and get the conversation started.