Honey bee colony struggling in a flooded, deforested landscape.

Buzz Kill: How Climate Change Could Be Harming Honey Bee Populations

Beau Callahan in Climate & Environment August 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research reveals a surprising link between precipitation, forest cover, and small hive beetle infestations, threatening honey bee colonies worldwide."

Honey bees are vital to our ecosystems and agriculture, playing a crucial role in pollinating crops that feed the world. However, bee populations are facing unprecedented challenges, from habitat loss to pesticide use. Invasive species and climate change are emerging as significant threats, creating a perfect storm for these essential pollinators.

One such threat is the small hive beetle (SHB), a parasite endemic to Africa that has spread globally. While SHBs are often considered a minor nuisance in their native range, they can cause significant damage to bee colonies in new environments. Understanding the factors that influence SHB infestations is critical to protecting honey bee populations.

Recent research from Nigeria sheds light on the environmental factors that may be contributing to SHB infestations. This study uncovers a surprising link between precipitation levels, forest cover, and the severity of SHB infestations in honey bee colonies, offering new insights into how climate change and habitat loss could be exacerbating the problem.

The Climate Connection: Rainfall, Forests, and Beetles

Honey bee colony struggling in a flooded, deforested landscape.

The study, conducted across 26 apiaries in Nigeria, examined 82 honey bee colonies (Apis mellifera adansonii) in both forest and savannah ecosystems. Researchers meticulously recorded SHB infestation levels, along with local temperature and precipitation data, to identify potential correlations.

The results revealed a significant difference in SHB infestation levels between the two ecosystems. Colonies in forest environments experienced significantly higher SHB infestations compared to those in savannahs. Interestingly, while temperature showed no significant correlation with SHB levels, a strong positive correlation emerged between local rainfall and SHB numbers within the colonies.

This suggests that the following factors can impacts SHB infestation levels:

Higher soil moisture promotes SHB pupation.
Forest cover provides shade, attracting SHBs.
Forests offer suitable soil conditions for SHB pupation.

These findings suggest that under the temperature conditions of the study region, precipitation and forest cover play a crucial role in influencing SHB infestation levels. The combination of higher rainfall and dense forest cover appears to create favorable conditions for SHBs, potentially increasing their impact on honey bee colonies.

Protecting Our Pollinators: What Can Be Done?

The Nigerian study underscores the complex interplay between environmental factors and honey bee health. While more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms driving SHB infestations, the findings highlight the importance of considering climate change and habitat loss in bee conservation efforts. By promoting sustainable land management practices, reducing deforestation, and mitigating the impacts of climate change, we can create a more resilient environment for honey bees and safeguard the vital services they provide.

About this Article -

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1007/s13592-018-0579-x, Alternate LINK

Title: Small Hive Beetle Infestation Levels Of Honey Bee Colonies Correlate With Precipitation And Forest Cover

Subject: Insect Science

Journal: Apidologie

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Kayode Lawrence Akinwande, Peter Neumann

Published: 2018-07-16

Everything You Need To Know

What key environmental factors are linked to the small hive beetle infestations in honey bee colonies, according to recent research?

Research indicates a correlation between precipitation levels, forest cover, and the severity of small hive beetle (SHB) infestations in honey bee colonies. Higher rainfall and dense forest cover create favorable conditions for SHBs, potentially increasing their impact. Elevated soil moisture from increased rainfall aids SHB pupation, and forest cover provides shade, attracting SHBs and offering suitable soil conditions for their pupation. Temperature, within the study's range, did not show a significant correlation with SHB levels.

Where and how was the study conducted that revealed the connection between climate and small hive beetle infestations?

The study was conducted across 26 apiaries in Nigeria, examining 82 honey bee colonies (Apis mellifera adansonii) in both forest and savannah ecosystems. Researchers recorded small hive beetle (SHB) infestation levels along with local temperature and precipitation data to identify correlations.

What are small hive beetles and why are they considered a growing threat to honey bee populations?

Small hive beetles (SHBs) are parasites endemic to Africa that have spread globally and can cause significant damage to bee colonies in new environments. While they are often considered a minor nuisance in their native range, their impact can be devastating in areas where honey bee colonies haven't evolved defenses against them. Understanding the environmental factors influencing SHB infestations, such as precipitation and forest cover, is crucial for protecting honey bee populations worldwide.

How do small hive beetle infestation levels differ between forest and savannah environments, and what does this suggest about the beetles' preferred conditions?

The study revealed that colonies in forest environments experienced significantly higher small hive beetle (SHB) infestations compared to those in savannahs. This suggests that forest environments, combined with higher rainfall, provide ideal conditions for SHB survival and reproduction, leading to increased infestation levels in honey bee colonies within those areas. The lack of correlation with temperature suggests that precipitation and habitat play a more dominant role in SHB proliferation, at least within the studied temperature range.

What broader implications do the findings on rainfall, forest cover, and small hive beetles have for honey bee conservation and climate change mitigation?

The study from Nigeria highlights the importance of sustainable land management practices and mitigating climate change impacts to protect honey bee populations. Reducing deforestation and promoting practices that minimize the effects of changing rainfall patterns can help create a more resilient environment for bees. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms driving small hive beetle (SHB) infestations and to develop effective strategies for managing and preventing them. This will safeguard the vital pollination services that honey bees provide to ecosystems and agriculture.