The question of whether bees are an endangered species does not have a simple answer, as the term “bee” encompasses over 20,000 distinct species globally. The conservation status differs dramatically between the managed honeybee and wild native species. Understanding this nuance is key to appreciating the complexity of the global pollinator crisis. The general decline in bee populations is a genuine ecological threat, felt most severely by specific groups of wild bees.
Conservation Status of Specific Bee Populations
The European honeybee (Apis mellifera) is a commercially managed livestock species and is not considered endangered, though its colonies face significant stress. In contrast, many native, wild bee species are severely threatened and protected under conservation laws. The United States Endangered Species Act (ESA) lists numerous bee species, indicating which populations are truly in crisis.
For example, the rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis) was the first wild bee in the continental U.S. listed as endangered in 2017. Its population has declined by an estimated 87% since the late 1990s, shrinking its range significantly. Seven species of yellow-faced bees native to Hawaii were also designated as endangered. The ESA differentiates between “Endangered”—a species in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range—and “Threatened”—a species likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future. This classification highlights the varying degrees of threat, with native species bearing the brunt of the crisis.
Primary Causes of Bee Decline
Bee decline is not attributable to a single cause but rather to a complex set of interacting environmental pressures. These drivers include habitat destruction, the widespread use of systemic insecticides, and the proliferation of parasites and associated diseases. These factors often compound one another, making individual bees and entire colonies more vulnerable.
Habitat loss and fragmentation are primary drivers, resulting largely from intensive agriculture and urbanization. Monoculture farming, where vast tracts of land are dedicated to a single crop, replaces the diverse floral resources bees require with a nutritionally inadequate food source. This lack of varied pollen and nectar leads to malnutrition, compromising the bees’ immune systems and increasing susceptibility to disease. Furthermore, the conversion of natural areas destroys the specific nesting sites, such as exposed soil or dead wood, that native bees rely on for reproduction.
The use of systemic insecticides, particularly neonicotinoids, presents a major threat to bee health. These chemicals are absorbed by the plant and are present in pollen and nectar, exposing bees to toxins even when applied weeks before blooming. Exposure to sublethal doses impairs key neurological functions, disrupting a bee’s ability to navigate, learn new tasks, and return to its hive. These chemicals can also reduce the lifespan of male reproductive drones and alter hormones in queen and drone larvae, threatening the long-term stability of the colony.
Disease and parasites represent a third major stressor, especially in managed honeybee populations. The Varroa destructor mite, an external parasite, is the most damaging pest of the western honeybee (Apis mellifera). The mite weakens the bee by feeding on its tissue and acts as a vector for debilitating viruses, including Deformed Wing Virus (DWV). The emergence of mite populations resistant to common miticides has exacerbated the spread of these viruses, leading to colony losses in commercial operations.
The Essential Role of Bees in Ecosystems
The potential endangerment of bee species is a concern because of their irreplaceable function as primary pollinators in both natural and agricultural systems. Bees are responsible for the reproduction of over 80% of all wild flowering plant species, making them fundamental to maintaining biodiversity. Without their pollination services, the plant life that forms the base of the food web for countless other animals would collapse.
Pollinators, including bees, are indispensable to global food production, with approximately 75% of the world’s crop types relying on them. While staple crops like rice and wheat are wind-pollinated, the production of most fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds is dependent on bee activity. This agricultural contribution is estimated to be worth billions of dollars annually, underscoring the economic and nutritional security that hinges on healthy bee populations.
What Individuals and Governments Can Do
Efforts to reverse bee decline require coordinated action at both the individual and governmental levels. Individuals can create local impact by focusing on habitat and gardening practices. Planting native, pollinator-friendly flowers that bloom throughout the growing season provides the diverse food source that native bees need. Supporting local beekeepers and advocating for organic produce also promotes sustainable practices.
Gardeners can further aid native bees by reducing or eliminating pesticide use and providing safe nesting sites. Since nearly 70% of native bee species nest underground, leaving small, undisturbed patches of bare soil is an effective way to support their reproductive cycle. Governmental and policy actions focus on large-scale regulation and habitat creation. For instance, New York’s “Birds and Bees Protection Act” restricts the use of neonicotinoid-treated seeds and pesticides on ornamental plants. Other regions are pursuing similar policy efforts to limit systemic insecticides and establish protected pollinator corridors—strips of diverse habitat that connect fragmented landscapes.