This represents a worryingly high number of bee colonies that did not survive the winter period. Additionally, the UK also experienced record levels of losses among its honeybee colonies.
The annual winter mortality rate in the Netherlands is determined through a beekeeper survey conducted every year by researchers from Wageningen University & Research, in collaboration with de Nederlandse Bijenhoudersvereniging (NBV), Imkers Nederland (IN), the biodynamic beekeepers (BD-imkers), and professional beekeepers (BVNI), commissioned by the Ministry of LNV.
A total of 2,640 Dutch beekeepers participated this year in the annual COLOSS survey (COLony LOSSes, www.COLOSS.org), which is conducted in more than 40 countries; 25% of Dutch beekeepers participated. The Netherlands has about 11,000 active beekeepers, with more than 95% being hobby
6.7% of beekeepers faced a completely extinct bee population.
Explanations for winter mortality among bee colonies are diverse. For example, the death of the queen during winter is fatal to the hive. Additionally, combinations of factors can endanger the health of bee colonies. If bees enter winter already weakened, for example, due to a combination of reduced food supply and disease, the likelihood of hive mortality increases. Two other major causes of poor bee health are bee viruses and the parasitic mite Varroa destructor.
The extent to which the invasion of the Asian hornet in the Netherlands affects winter mortality is unknown.
Provided by Wageningen University
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