Honey Bee Research : Surveys of Beekeepers in Scotland

Monitoring honey bee colony loss rates in Scotland

About the surveys

From the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Strathclyde, we (Alison Gray and Magnus Peterson) have designed and carried out surveys of beekeepers in Scotland since 2006. These surveys were instigated by the Executive Committee of the Scottish Beekeepers' Association (SBA) to gain a view of beekeeping practice and experience, and in the light of problems with Varroa and colony losses of honey bees.

The surveys have run so far in 2006, 2008, and every year since 2010, and have sampled members of the Scottish Beekeeping Association. In 2010 we also sampled those commercial bee farmers whom we were aware of in Scotland and included the results in the report for that year with the results for the SBA members.

From 2006 to 2012 we conducted these surveys by post, however for the 2013 and 2014 surveys we carried out the greater part of the survey online using the LimeSurvey package (retaining a postal questionnaire for those participants not online). We expect to continue to use this online approach, supplemented by a postal questionnaire, in future.

We have since 2010 been part of the COLOSS network for monitoring and analysis of colony loss rates and associated risk factors. As part of COLOSS, we have since then made annual data returns to them for their international analysis, as well as producing more detailed reports and short articles ourselves. The focus of the COLOSS analysis is very much on the estimation of colony losses and possible explanatory factors. Our own reports give a more detailed picture of beekeeping practice in Scotland.

COLOSS Press Release: Losses of honey bee colonies over the 2012/13 winter-Preliminary results from an international study

On 24th July 2013, the honey bee research network COLOSS announced the preliminary results of an international study to investigate winter colony losses. Data were collected from 19 countries in Europe, Israel and Algeria. In total more than 15,000 beekeepers provided overwintering mortality and other data for their countries. Collectively, they managed more than 280,000 colonies.

For the press release, click here,

for a table of loss rates for the different countries click here,

and for a map of the geographical pattern of loss rates in the countries concerned click here.

Media focus on very high Scottish colony losses for winter 2012/13

In August 2013, the media picked up on the very high winter loss rates of colonies in Scotland. Our survey results were mentioned in the Scotsman, the Herald, the Scottish Daily Mail, BBC News Scotland and STV news online and numerous other internet sites worldwide.

Work on modelling of risk of winter loss of colonies

An International Bee Research Association (IBRA) press release in February 2014, available here, publicised several new journal articles on honey bee colony loss rates, including a pan-European study of survey data from 19 countries, including our data from Scotland. The paper used a statistical modelling approach to examine the influence of various factors on the losses. Significant factors identified with colony losses were the age of queen bees in colonies going into winter, the extent of queen bee problems in summer, the treatment of the parasitic varroa mite, and access by foraging honey bees to the agricultural crops oilseed rape and maize. As the press release says "This could support the current concerns about pesticides widely used on these crops, but there is also growing evidence that the decline of bees in areas of intensive agriculture may be because mass flowering crops provide food for only part of the year in a landscape otherwise devoid of bee forage, and also that these crops may provide poor quality food for bees."

On 17th July 2014, COLOSS announced the preliminary results of the latest international study of colony losses over winter 2013/14. Data were collected from 19 countries in Europe, Israel and Algeria. 17,135 respondents provided overwintering mortality and other data of their honey bee colonies. Collectively, all responding beekeepers managed more than 376,754 colonies. A preliminary analysis of the data show that the mortality rate over the 2013-14 winter varied between countries, ranging from 6% in Norway to 14 % in Portugal, and there were also marked regional differences within most countries. The overall proportion of colonies lost was 9%, the lowest since the international working group started collecting data in 2007. See here.

Survey results and reports

The full reports of these surveys are available via the links below.

Peterson, M. and Gray, A. (2015). Scottish Beekeepers' Association Survey 2014 Report. Click here.

Peterson, M. and Gray, A. (2014). Scottish Beekeepers' Association Survey 2013 Report. Click here.

Peterson, M. and Gray, A. (2013). Scottish Beekeepers' Association Survey 2012 Report. Click here.

Peterson, M., Gray, A. and Wang, Q. (2012). Scottish Beekeepers' Association Survey 2011 Report. Click here.

Peterson, M., Gray, A., Ruddock, C. and Kerr, G. (2012). Scottish Beekeepers' Association Survey 2010 Report. Click here.

Peterson, M. and Gray, A. (2010). Scottish Beekeepers' Association Survey of Members 2008. Report on the survey results. Click here.

Gray, A., Mason, K., Peterson, M., and Teale, A. (2007). Scottish Beekeepers' Association Survey of Members 2006. Report on the Survey. Click here.

Other articles

Book Chapter

van der Zee, R., Gray, A., Holzmann, C., Pisa, L., Brodschneider, R., Chlebo, R., Coffey, M.F., Kence, A., Kristiansen, P., Mutinelli, F., Nguyen, K.B., Noureddine, A., Peterson, M., Soroker, V., Topolska, G., Vejsnaes, F., Wilkins, S. (2013). Standard survey methodology for estimating colony losses and explanatory risk factors in Apis mellifera. In V. Dietemann, Ellis, J.D. and Neumann, P. (eds), The COLOSS BEEBOOK Volume II: Standard Methods for Apis mellifera Pest and Pathogen Research, IBRA, Treforest, UK. ISBN-10: 0-86098-275-0 and ISBN-13: 978-0-86098-275-3. Details here.

Articles in refereed journals

van der Zee, R., Brodschneider, R., Brusbardis, V., Charriere, J-D., Chlebo, R., Coffey, M.F., Dahle, B., Drazic, M.M., Kauko, L., Kretavicius, J., Kristiansen, P., Mutinelli, F., Otten, C., Peterson, P., Raudmets, A., Santrac, V., Seppala, A., Soroker, V., Topolska, G., Vejsnaes, F., Gray, A. (2014). Results of international standardised beekeeper surveys of colony losses for winter 2012-2013: analysis of winter loss rates and mixed effects modelling of risk factors for winter loss. Journal of Apicultural Research, 53(1):19-34. doi 10.3896/IBRA.1.53.1.02 available here

van der Zee, R., Gray, A., Holzmann, C., Pisa, L., Brodschneider, R., Chlebo, R., Coffey, M.F., Kence, A., Kristiansen, P., Mutinelli, F., Nguyen, B.K., Noureddine, A., Peterson, M., Soroker, V., Topolska, G., Vejsnaes, F., Wilkins, S. (2013). Standard survey methods for estimating colony losses and explanatory risk factors in Apis mellifera. Journal of Apicultural Research 52(4), special issue, paper no. 52.4.18, doi 10.3896/IBRA.1.52.4.18 (35 pages plus 3 page online supplement; online version of book chapter above). Link to this and other chapters here.

van der Zee, R., Pisa, L., Andonov, S., Brodscheider, R., Charriere, J.D., Chlebo, R., Coffey, M.F., Crailsheim, K., Dahle, B., Gajda, A., Gray, A., Drazic, M.M., Higes, M.M., Kauko, L., Kence, A., Kence, M., Kezic, N., Kiprijanovska, H., Kralj, J., Kristiansen, P., Heranandez, R.M., Mutinelli, F., Nguyen, B.K., Otten, C., Ozkirim, A., Pernal, S., Peterson, M., Ramsay, G., Santrac, V., W., Soroker, V., Topolska, G., Uzonov, A., Vejsnaes, F., Wei, S., Wilkins, S. (2012). Managed honey bee colony losses in Canada, China, Europe, Israel and Turkey, for the winters of 2008-2009 and 2009-2010. Journal of Apicultural Research, 51(1), 100-114.

Gray, A., Peterson, M., and Teale, A. (2010). An update on recent colony losses in Scotland from a sample survey covering 2006-2008. Journal of Apicultural Research, 49(1), 129-131.

Peterson, M., Gray, A., and Teale, A. (2009). Colony losses in Scotland in 2004--2006 from a sample survey. Journal of Apicultural Research, 48(2), 145-146.

Short communications

Gray, A. and M. Peterson (2014). Main findings of the 2013 SBA/COLOSS colony loss monitoring survey. The Scottish Beekeeper, 91(11), 292-296.

Gray, A. and M. Peterson (2014). Colony loss monitoring surveys in Scotland: winter loss rates and the online versus postal approach. Abstract. In Proceedings of the 10th COLOSS Conference, Murcia, Spain, September 2014, p. 25.

Brodschneider, R., Bozic, J., Carreck, N., Coffey, M.F., Crailsheim, K., Dahle, B., Danihlik, J., Filipi, J., Gray, A., Gonzalez-Porto, A-V., Ion, N., Kezic, N., Klima; Z., Kristiansen, P., Lilek, N., Mayr, J., Medrzycki, P., Moosbeckhofer, R., Odoux, J-F., Peterson, M., Ruiz, J.A., Sogaard Jorgensen, A., Tosi, S., Vejsnaes, F., Williams, G., van der Steen, J. (2014). Outcome of the workshop: C.S.I. Pollen - Training the national agents in Graz. In Proceedings of the COLOSS C.S.I. Pollen workshop, Graz, Austria, February 2014, p. 22.

Gray, A. and M. Peterson (2014). Possibilities for implementing the C.S.I. Pollen project in Scotland. Abstract. In Proceedings of the COLOSS C.S.I. Pollen workshop - Training the national coordinators, Graz, Austria, February 2014, p. 12.

Brodschneider, R, Coffey, M.F, Dahle, B., Danihlik, J., Drazic, M.M., Gray, A., Kezic, N., Klima, Z., Kalcher-Sommersguter, E., Kristiansen, P., Martin-Hernandez, R., Moosbeckhofer, R., Mutinelli, F., Peterson, M., Soroker, V., Topolska, G., Vejsnaes, F., van der Zee, R. (2014). Outcome of the workshop: Estimation of honey bee colony losses - Continuity and visibility. In Proceedings of the COLOSS Workshop on Estimation of honey bee colony losses - Continuity and visibility, Graz, Austria, February 2014, p. 19.

Gray, A. and M. Peterson (2014). Results of the colony loss monitoring survey in Scotland for winter 2012-2013. Abstract. In Proceedings of the COLOSS Workshop on Estimation of honey bee colony losses - Continuity and visibility. Graz, Austria, February 2014, p. 10.

Gray, A. and M. Peterson (2013).Colony loss rates from the 2013 Scottish monitoring survey and a comparison of conditions for carrying out surveys internationally. Abstract. In Proceedings of the 9th COLOSS Conference, Kiev, Ukraine, September 2013, p. 39.

Gray, A. and M. Peterson (2012). Experience and evaluation of colony loss monitoring in Scotland: survey methodology, response rates and degree of success. Abstract. In Proceedings of the COLOSS WG1 Workshop on Monitoring of colony losses 2011-2012- temporal and spatial patterns, Stroze, Poland, October 2012.

Gray, A. and M. Peterson (2012). Results of colony loss monitoring in Scotland for the winters of 2007-2008 to 2011-2012. Abstract. In Proceedings of the COLOSS WG1 Workshop on Monitoring of colony losses 2011-2012- temporal and spatial patterns, Stroze, Poland, October 2012.

Gray, A. and M. Peterson (2012). SBA Member Surveys 2010/2011 (Main Results). The Scottish Beekeeper, December 2012, 89(12), p. 312, 314-316.

Gray, A. and M. Peterson (2012). More on winter loss rates and Oil Seed Rape. Letter to the Editor, The Scottish Beekeeper, October 2012, 89(10), p. 269.

Peterson, M. and Gray, A. (2012). Investigation of winter loss rates. The Scottish Beekeeper, August 2012, 89(8), p. 205.

Gray, A. and M. Peterson (2012). On differences in colony losses in the East and West of Scotland. Letter to the Editor, The Scottish Beekeeper, July 2012, 89(7), p. 179.

Peterson, M. (2012). Some lessons to be learned from the COLOSS survey of 2011 in designing the questionnaire for 2012. Abstract. In Proceedings of the COLOSS WG1 "2012 Questionnaire and Bee Book" Workshop, York, UK, February, 2012.

Gray, A. (2012). Analysis and Modelling of the COLOSS International Data Set 2010-2011 Abstract. In Proceedings of the COLOSS WG1 Workshop on Modelling and Standardization (Bee Book), Tersoal, Netherlands, January 2012.

Gray, A., Peterson, M. and Ramsay, G.(2010). A survey of SBA members for 2010. The Scottish Beekeeper, 87(8), 207 - 208.

Gray, A. and Peterson, M. (2009). Losses of bee colonies - Survey of Members 2008. The Scottish Beekeeper, 86(10), 267 - 270.

Gray, A., Peterson, M. and Teale, A. (2008). The SBA survey 2008: some preliminary findings. The Scottish Beekeeper, 85(12), 319-322.

Peterson, M., Gray, A. and Teale, A. (2008). The SBA survey 2008. The Scottish Beekeeper, 85(11), 291.

Gray, A., Peterson, M. and Teale, A. (2008). Varroa and losses of bee colonies in Scotland. Bee Craft, 90(2), 8-9.

Gray, A., Peterson, M. and Teale, A. (2007). Main findings of the SBA survey of members 2006. The Scottish Beekeeper, 84(10), 268-269.

Peterson, M., Teale, A., Mason, K. and Gray, A. (2006). A survey of SBA members 2006. The Scottish Beekeeper, 83(12), 324-327.

Contacts