Cornell to help pinpoint cause of massive honeybee die-offs

Credit: Jason Koski/Cornell University

Research associate Wayne Anderson loads bee samples into a liquid chromatography mass spectrometer for analysis in the lab of Scott McArt in Comstock Hall.

Cornell bee experts are analyzing samples of bees and related material to help identify the cause of unprecedented managed honeybee losses this winter.

The colony die-offs became apparent as U.S. commercial beekeepers geared up to transport colonies to California, where approximately 70% of the nation’s managed honeybees are trucked to pollinate almonds each year.

Credit: Jason Koski/Cornell University

Pollen samples ready for analysis in the McArt Lab in Comstock Hall.