DNA Research Finds Low Genetic Diversity Among U.S. Honey Bees

"U.S. agriculture owes many thanks to the honey bee (Apis mellifera L.), as it plays the crucial role of pollinator within the nation's food supply. Some of the nation's food industries rely solely on the honey bee, and it's estimated that the economic value of its pollination role is worth well over $17 billion each year. With this fact in mind, ARS researchers recently studied the U.S. honey bee's genetic diversity to ensure that this crucial pollinator insect has sufficient diversity to overcome the growing number of stressors such as parasites, diseases, malnutrition, and climate change.

What they found is alarming: the U.S. honey bee population has low genetic diversity, and this could have a negative impact on future crop pollination and beekeeping sustainability in the country."

Source : Agricultural Research Service, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, February 15, 2023

Link : DNA Research Finds Low Genetic Diversity Among U.S. Honey Bees : USDA ARS