Current Opinion in Insect Science
Available online 8 February 2018
In Press, Accepted Manuscript

Drivers of Colony Losses
Nathalie Steinhauer, ... Dennis vanEngelsdorp

As a managed species, honey bee colony survivorship relies on the competence of the beekeeper. When facing high pest pressure, beekeepers can reduce hazard through physical or chemical intervention [85]. While good management can alleviate stress, poor management can accentuate it (for instance, the incorrect or late application of Varroa mite treatment [ 61; 86 ;  87], or failing to regularly replace queens [48]). 

Good management practices develop with proper education and experience. Commercial (in the US) and professional (in Europe) beekeepers, who typically manage more colonies, are better educated and have more experience, have lower losses compared to other beekeepers, presumably because they are more likely to properly implement best management practices [ 4; 86 ;  88].

High density of colonies are generally associated with increased disease infection rates [89]. In practice, however, migratory colonies in the US display lower Varroa loads [ 32] and less colony mortality [4] than stationary beekeepers, suggesting management practices can and do moderate colony stress.

submitted by PLB

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