The queen could die, or there could be a food shortage. However, a dip in bee population numbers in bad years would be cancelled out in the good years. One of the causes of the decline in bee populations is the spraying of crops with of pesticides, and also by the spreading of mites and other parasites.
There is also another possible cause: GM crops. I do not know what effect the pollen from GM (Genetically Modified) crops has on bees, but as GM seeds are specifically designed to be unable to be used as seed for the next year's crop, this means the growers have no choice except to buy seed to sow for the next year. The bees don't know that the seeds are good for only one year, so does this mean that the honey they make from the pollen of these now-infertile seeds is also non-life-sustaining as well? I don't know, but perhaps someone could check bee-population changes in GM crop areas.
The mains cases for Bee decline are that vital nectar resources have been lost and nesting sites have been lost as cropping patterns have changed.
It's the pesticides that are used that are "killing off" or decreasing bee populations. Global warming/climate change may also have something to do with it, but the biggest factor is the use of pesticides.
Over 4000 species of bees can be found in North America, many of them occurring in the Midwest to western States. They are the primary pollinators of plants and agricultural crops. A report published in 2006 by the Committee on the Status of Pollinators in North America, National Research Council, found that pollinator populations in North America are in decline or lack sufficient data to be effectively evaluated.
The Bee Gees.
No. Varroa mites are a threat to the commercial honey bees, but not actually to the blue banded bee (a native bee of Australia). Varroa mites have caused the decimation of some honeybee populations in the USA, but have not yet affected Australia, one of the last countries still free of the pest.
they get really mad.
once. the sting the bee gives causes the stinger to release into the person and tear from the bee itself. The bee thus soon reportedly dies as a result of the removal of its stinger.
There are many possible causes of the reduction in bee hives. Pesticides, mites, antibiotics and the Israeli acute paralysis virus are all potential causes.
Eric
Some fun bee puns are: O-bee Wan Kenobee Beauty is in the eye of the Bee-holder Bee-ware the ides of March To bee or not to bee
African honey bee .
formic acid?