Why does resource availability matter for honeybee colonies in spring?

Honeybees are essential pollinators that provide crucial ecosystem services across agricultural and natural landscapes. However, honeybee colonies, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere, are experiencing significant declines due to multiple stressors. While the parasitic mite Varroa destructor is...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Insectes sociaux Vol. 72; no. 4; pp. 405 - 411
Main Authors: Ulgezen, Z. N., van Dooremalen, C., van Langevelde, F.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.11.2025
Springer Nature B.V
Subjects:
Agricultural ecosystems
Agricultural land
Availability
Bees
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Brood rearing
Climate change
Commentary
Ecosystem services
Entomology
Influence
Life Sciences
Northern Hemisphere
Plant reproduction
Pollinators
Resource availability
Social interactions
Spring
Summer
Winter
South America
Europe
Brood rearing
Social resilience
Colony survival
Pollen
Stress
ISSN:0020-1812, 1420-9098
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Honeybees are essential pollinators that provide crucial ecosystem services across agricultural and natural landscapes. However, honeybee colonies, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere, are experiencing significant declines due to multiple stressors. While the parasitic mite Varroa destructor is a major threat, resource availability plays a vital role in colony health, vulnerability to stress, and social resilience. Despite its importance, the transitional period for colonies from late winter to early spring when resources are scarce and brood rearing demands high energy, is often overlooked in studies. Here, we propose that colonies are most vulnerable during this transitional period and emphasize the need for closer examination of the complex relationship between resource availability and colony status to better understand colony mortality that occur in this period. We argue that improving resource availability should be prioritized, not only for short-term colony survival but also for the long-term sustainability of honeybee populations.
Bibliography:SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Commentary-1
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ISSN:0020-1812
1420-9098
DOI:10.1007/s00040-025-01041-1