Honey bees are not listed as an endangered species, but decreases in their numbers have not gone unnoticed. Farmers who rely on the honey bees to provide essential crop pollination have noticed their decrease in numbers.
Habitat Loss
Industrialization is a threat to the survival of the species. Honey bees need a large area with plants to collect pollen.
Pesticides
The use of pesticides in farming poses a huge problem with the species. Honey bees are very sensitive to chemicals and die often from exposure.
Mites
Tracheal mites and varroa mites are two species that are not native to North America, that have been responsible for many honey bee deaths. The mites can quickly kill off whole colonies. Wild colonies are most affected because the contamination of mites goes undetected by humans. Bee keepers can medicate captive colonies when detection of mites is seen.
Colony Collapse Disorder
Colony Collapse Disorder is a term used to describe the sudden disappearance of all the adult bees in a hive. The disorder is responsible for the decline of an estimated 1/3 of the honey bee populations. The exact cause of Colony Collapse Disorder is not known. Colony stress, habitat loss and pesticides may be partially to blame. The Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus may be at least partially responsible. Colony Collapse hives have shown traces of the virus. It is not known if colony stress may make the bees more susceptible to getting the virus.
