Negative ecological impacts of honeybees begin at densities below recommended levels for crop pollination

Abstract In recent decades, managed honeybee ( Apis mellifera L.) use has increased across the globe, primarily motivated by the demand for crop pollination and honey production. As agricultural practices become increasingly dependent on honeybees, concerns have emerged about the potential ecological consequences of their widespread use. High‐density honeybee populations, often maintained near agricultural areas, can influence local biodiversity by altering competition dynamics among pollinators, changing plant–pollinator relationships and affecting the availability of floral resources. While the ecological impacts of managed honeybees have been widely studied, most research has focused on their presence or absence, overlooking how varying hive densities might shape ecosystem dynamics. We conducted a comprehensive review of studies examining the ecological impacts of managed honeybees, emphasizing variations in hive densities and their consequences for pollinator communities, plant–pollinator interactions and crop yields. We synthesized findings to identify density thresholds associated with significant ecological disruptions. Our review shows that increasing hive densities reduces visitation rates and pollinator richness, while the benefits for fruit production appear minimal relative to the damage they can potentially cause. Synthesis and applications : The ecological consequences of high‐density honeybee management are significant, calling for a re‐evaluation of pollination strategies in agricultural landscapes. Setting evidence‐based hive density guidelines is critical to balancing agricultural productivity with the conservation of native pollinator communities and the maintenance of healthy ecosystem dynamics.