Managed honeybee colonies face existential threats from pesticides, pathogens, and habitat loss.
Managed honeybee welfare is threatened by a convergence of stressors. Varroa mites parasitize individual bees and transmit viruses that weaken colonies. Pesticide exposure impairs navigation, learning, and immune function. Long-distance transport for pollination services disrupts colonies and spreads disease. Habitat loss reduces nutrition. Each stressor alone is manageable — their combination creates the colony losses now threatening both bee welfare and global food production.