Sustainable apiculture in the Anthropocene: A multidisciplinary synthesis on mitigating global pollinator decline through advanced science and integrated management

Abstract

Global apiculture, centered on the managed Western honey bee (Apis mellifera), faces an existential threat from a complex syndemic of interacting stressors driving persistently high annual colony mortality rates. This extensive review synthesizes cutting-edge scientific research from the past decade to dissect the multifaceted causes of pollinator decline and present a cohesive framework for sustainable management. The analysis delves deeply into the parasitic mite Varroa destructor as the primary biotic driver of colony losses, detailing its role as a vector for pathogenic viruses and the subsequent breakdown of social immunity. We explore the evolution of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, highlighting the transition from problematic synthetic acaricides to softer chemical treatments, biotechnical controls, and the promising frontier of biological and genetic solutions. The review extensively covers the cascading effects of nutritional stress induced by landscape-scale monocultures, elucidating how pollen diversity deficit impairs individual immunocompetence and gut microbiome homeostasis, thereby increasing susceptibility to pathogens. A significant focus is placed on the sublethal and synergistic impacts of anthropogenic pesticides, particularly neonicotinoids and fungicides, on bee neurophysiology, behavior, and detoxification pathways. Furthermore, we examine the emerging field of precision apiculture, where sensor networks and data analytics enable proactive, data-driven hive management. By integrating insights from parasitology, virology, toxicology, nutritional ecology, genetics, and digital agriculture, this review contends that the path to apicultural resilience necessitates a holistic systems approach that addresses the synergistic interactions between parasites, pathogens, pesticides, and poor nutrition.