What is the Bee Colony Loss and Survival Survey?
In 2015, MPI and the beekeeping organisations (National Beekeepers Association and the Bee Industry Group of Federated Farmers) contracted Landcare Research to conduct a national survey of New Zealand's managed honey bee colonies.
The survey looked at the state of our honey bee colonies and the challenges beekeepers are facing. It gave us baseline information for monitoring managed honey bee colony loss and survival over time.
Over the winter of 2015, a total of 366 beekeepers, who together manage 225,660 hives, were surveyed. This represents nearly 40% of the total number of hives in New Zealand.
Design of the survey
The survey was based on surveys being used in other countries and adapted for New Zealand in consultation with New Zealand beekeepers.
New Zealand beekeepers were surveyed about:
- beekeeping practices
- losses of hives (and causes)
- queen bee health
- treatment for mites (Varroa)
- feeding
- overcrowding
- loss of sites.
2015 survey results
The survey showed bee hive loss in New Zealand is low-to-average compared to other countries. Over the winter of 2015, only 11% of colonies were lost in New Zealand compared to 17% in the northern hemisphere. Overall, commercial beekeepers lost fewer hives than non-commercial beekeepers.
Causes of bee colony loss in New Zealand
New Zealand beekeepers reported that they mostly lost bee colonies due to problems with queen bees, colony death or wasps. They also lost colonies when access to land changed or sites were overcrowded. Some colony loss is always expected over winter because of poor weather, less food, and pests and diseases.
Download the report on the 2015 bee colony survey
What happens next
MPI and industry will discuss the survey results and what they mean for the beekeeping industry and future research.
MPI is funding a repeat survey in 2016.
MPI is also conducting a 3-year research program to:
- identify honey bee diseases and parasites in New Zealand
- help us respond to new diseases and parasites.
Who to contact
If you have any questions about the survey or would like to participate, email apiculture@mpi.govt.nz.