Managed honey bee colonies face numerous disease threats; understanding and addressing these is central to both bee welfare and ecological function.
While individual bee sentience is uncertain, colony-level functioning depends on bee health and welfare. Diseased colonies suffer population collapse, compromised foraging, and starvation. Pesticide exposure impairs learning, navigation, and immune function. Responsible beekeeping monitors for disease, uses integrated pest management, and maintains colony nutrition. The ecological services provided by healthy bee colonies benefit all wildlife.