The declining honey yield in the US has been attributed to various environmental factors affecting honeybee colonies. Over the past decade, honey production per colony has dropped by about half a pound, despite a slight increase in the number of managed colonies. A study led by researchers at Penn State has identified several factors contributing to the decline. This included increased herbicide use, the conversion of flower-rich land into monocultural farmland, and reduced soil productivity. The changing climate and extreme weather events have also played a role in hampering honey production, impacting bees and their habitats. These colonies have suffered severe losses during winters in recent years, with pesticides and disease also taking their toll. The broader crisis among bees and insects poses threats to food yields and ecosystem health and requires urgent attention.