Winter losses of honeybees in Scotland worrying scientists

GLASGOW, Scotland, Aug. 13 (UPI) -- Scientists in Scotland say they recorded the highest winter losses of honeybees in recent years, with increasing numbers dying last winter.

A survey by University of Strathclyde researchers conducted on behalf of the Scottish Beekeepers' Association found 31.3 percent of managed honeybee colonies in Scotland failed to survive last winter, almost double the previous year's loss rate of 15.9 percent.

"This is an extremely high loss rate," Strathclyde researcher Alison Gray said, adding the figures should be a major concern because bees play a pivotal role in crop pollination, agricultural yields and therefore food supply and prices.

"In fact, the loss rate last winter is the highest we have found since these surveys began in 2006 -- and is similar to that over the winter of 2009-10, when we estimate that 30.9 per cent of colonies were lost," she said in a university release Tuesday.

The results were based on responses to online and mail questionnaires from a random sample of 300 members of the Scottish Beekeepers' Association, which is thought to represent most of the country's estimated 1,300 beekeepers.

"Honey bees worldwide are having to contend with habitat loss and reduction in variety of forage sources due to pressures of intensifying land use, increasing spread of new and old pests -- caused by globalization of trade in bees and bee products -- as well as possible adverse effects of agricultural pesticides," Gray said.

The Scottish government has announced it is making $300,000 available to help commercial bee farmers restock and rebuild their colonies devastated by prolonged winter weather conditions.