Numerous studies have shown that bees are being decimated by a parasitic arachnid, a MITE, not pesticides being used by orchardists. This article is ignorant.
I am a hobbyist beekeeper. I run 10-20 hives at a time. It is true that varroa mites are responsible for much of the colony loss we have experienced in the U.S. Beekeepers are pursuing various means of addressing this problem, from monthly fogging of hives with oxalic acid vapor to breeding queens who pass on traits of attacking the mites and biting off their legs. (ankle biters, they are called :-)
I don’t move my bees more than 3 miles between a relative’s and my property so I have no experience in monoculture use of hives.
That being said, if growers are using pesticides then it can’t help but affect the honeybees. I’ve had die off from mosquito spraying 1/2 mile from my bee yard, even thought the county is supposed to notify me before spraying so I can close up my hives for a day or so.
I know another lady beekeeper (big operation unlike me) who was almost wiped out because she agreed to place her hives on a farm where the farmer promised no pesticides and used them anyway.