Summary of results - 2016
In a nutshell...
- Survey participation increased 5-fold.
- Estimated colony losses for winter 2016 were 9.8%. This is statistically indistinguishable from 2015 estimates.
- A higher share of hives was lost in the North Island compared to the South Island.
- Average loss rates are higher for non-commercial beekeepers than commercial; however, there is wide variation in individual loss rates.
- Colony death, queen problems and wasps accounted for 87.3% of winter colony losses in 2016.
- Hive numbers continue to grow. Evidence competition for apiary sites is growing: 16% of large beekeepers reported that they had sites overtaken or overcrowded or that their apiary sites had reduced floral resources.
- Most colonies are used for honey production only. Few are used for pollination only. Some are used for both.
![<!-- Survey participation increased 5-fold --> <h4>Find out more:<h4>
<ul>
<li><a href=](https://oldwww.landcareresearch.co.nz/__data/assets/image/0006/137283/varieties/thumb650w.png )
![<!-- <strong>More: </strong> <a href=https://oldwww.landcareresearch.co.nz/science/portfolios/enhancing-policy-effectiveness/bee-health/2016-survey/reporting-by-region-and-operation>Reporting by Region and Operation</a> -->](https://oldwww.landcareresearch.co.nz/__data/assets/image/0007/137284/varieties/thumb650w.png )
![<!-- <strong>More: </strong>
<a href=https://oldwww.landcareresearch.co.nz/science/portfolios/enhancing-policy-effectiveness/bee-health/2016-survey/winter-2016-losses>Winter losses</a><br>
<a href=https://oldwww.landcareresearch.co.nz/science/portfolios/enhancing-policy-effectiveness/bee-health/2016-survey/winter-2016-losses-attributable-to-colony-death>Winter losses attributable to colony death</a><br>
<a href=https://oldwww.landcareresearch.co.nz/science/portfolios/enhancing-policy-effectiveness/bee-health/2016-survey/winter-2016-queen-problems>Winter losses: Queen problems</a><br>
<a href=https://oldwww.landcareresearch.co.nz/science/portfolios/enhancing-policy-effectiveness/bee-health/2016-survey/winter-2016-losses-attributable-to-pests-and-diseases>Winter losses: Pests & disease</a><br>
<a href=https://oldwww.landcareresearch.co.nz/science/portfolios/enhancing-policy-effectiveness/bee-health/2016-survey/winter-2016-losses-attributable-to-other-causes>Winter losses: Other causes</a><br>
<a href=https://oldwww.landcareresearch.co.nz/science/portfolios/enhancing-policy-effectiveness/bee-health/2016-survey/giant-willow-aphid>Giant willow aphid</a> -->](https://oldwww.landcareresearch.co.nz/__data/assets/image/0008/137285/varieties/thumb650w.png )
![<!-- <strong>More: </strong>
<a href=https://oldwww.landcareresearch.co.nz/science/portfolios/enhancing-policy-effectiveness/bee-health/2016-survey/winter-2016-losses>Colony losses, 2016</a><br>
<a href=https://oldwww.landcareresearch.co.nz/science/portfolios/enhancing-policy-effectiveness/bee-health/2015-results/winter-2015-losses>Colony losses, 2015</a><br> -->](https://oldwww.landcareresearch.co.nz/__data/assets/image/0009/137286/varieties/thumb650w.png )
![<!-- <strong>More: </strong>
<a href=https://oldwww.landcareresearch.co.nz/science/portfolios/enhancing-policy-effectiveness/bee-health/2016-survey/pollination-services-and-honey-harvesting>Pollination services and honey harvesting</a> -->](https://oldwww.landcareresearch.co.nz/__data/assets/image/0010/137287/varieties/thumb650w.png )
![<!-- <strong>More: </strong>
<a href=https://oldwww.landcareresearch.co.nz/science/portfolios/enhancing-policy-effectiveness/bee-health/2016-survey/pollination-services-and-honey-harvesting>Pollination services and honey harvesting</a> -->](https://oldwww.landcareresearch.co.nz/__data/assets/image/0011/137288/varieties/thumb650w.png )