Beneficial pollinators could be making a comeback after years of myriad challenges.
While Texas bee populations have declined due to drought and other harsh weather conditions over recent years, they seem to be in good shape for a late spring and early summer recovery, according to Texas A&M AgriLife entomologists.
“There was a 14% drop in honey production in 2021, and while there’s no data about 2022 as yet, one can assume production was affected for a couple of reasons,” said Molly Keck, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service entomologist for Bexar County. “The two main reasons were that there was not enough forage in some areas of the state due to drought as well as the fact that honeybees don’t go out and forage when temperatures are too high.”
Keck said lack of foraging and nectar-producing resources means less food brought back into the hive to be turned into honey.
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Image: Texas honey bee populations seem to be bouncing back after a variety of environmental challenges over the past few years. (Credit: Laura McKenzie/Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications via Texas A&M University)