Are honey bees endangered? Discover the essential facts you must know about their perilous status

This article is part of our series to spread free & quality sustainability knowledge for all. Compare on Data Hub™ the sustainability performance of companies tackling biodiversity: BASF, Syngenta, Corteva Agriscience, Comvita and Honeywell.

Key Takeaways

• While honey bees aren’t in grave danger of extinction, several wild bees, such as the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee and the Franklin's Bumble Bee, are listed as critically endangered.
• The biggest threats to the survival of honey bees and wild bees include climate change, habitat loss, disease, and poor agricultural practices.
• Adopting sustainable agricultural practices, creating awareness about the importance of bees, and agitating for policy changes are some ways to protect them from extinction.

Honey bees are crucial components of our ecosystem. With their remarkable ability to pollinate, they play a pivotal role in fostering food production and supporting diverse ecosystems. However, the global reports of declining honey bee numbers have raised serious concerns in recent years.

In this article, we delve into the pressing question of whether honey bee populations are truly diminishing and if certain bee species teeter on the brink of extinction. Furthermore, we examine the underlying factors that contribute to the dwindling populations of honey bees, including the impact of modern agriculture, natural disasters, and the effects on other species and native species.

What Types of Bees Are Endangered?

While bee populations have dwindled worldwide since the 1990s (Zattara & Aizen, 2021), some species are more vulnerable to extinction than others. Here are some bees at risk of extinction:

• Rusty Patched Bumble Bee (Bombus affinis): This bumble bee species, once widespread across North America, is now critically endangered. In the U.S., it was listed as an endangered species in 2017 after a steep decline in its population (Bombus Affinis | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, n.d.).
• Hawaiian Yellow-Faced Bee (Hylaeus spp.): Native to the Hawaiian Islands, seven species of the yellow-faced bee were listed as endangered in 2016 (Endangered Species Listing Warranted for seven Species of Hawaiian Yellow-faced Bees | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 2011).
• Franklin's Bumble Bee (Bombus Franklini): Once widespread in Southern Oregon and Northern California, Franklin's Bumble Bee is currently at risk of extinction. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the species as endangered in 2021 (Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Species Status for Franklin’s Bumble Bee, 2021).
• Wallace's Giant Bee (Megachile pluto): Wallace's Giant Bee, known for its massive size, is one of the rarest and largest bee species worldwide. It was considered extinct until it was rediscovered in Indonesia in 1981. Currently, the species is listed as vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (Kuhlmann, 2013).

Fortunately, not all bees are endangered. However, many bees are experiencing serious population declines. Next, we'll explore some issues endangering bees and causing their populations to dwindle.

Why Are Bees an Endangered Species?

There are various reasons why bee numbers are dwindling worldwide and why some species are at risk of extinction. Here are some key reasons why bees are endangered:

• Habitat Loss: The loss and destruction of natural habitats, including grasslands, forests, and wetlands, has significantly impacted bee populations. Human activities like commercial agriculture, deforestation, and urbanization have led to the decimation of vital foraging and nesting sites for bees. 

For instance, the U.S. has lost up to 99% of tallgrass prairie over the past two centuries, primarily to industrial agriculture (Kline & Joshi, 2020). This has resulted in a significant decline in bumble bee numbers, as prairies are an important bee nesting site.

• Pesticide Use: The increased use of pesticides, particularly neonicotinoids, has been linked to declining wild and honey bee populations. Pesticides can negatively affect the reproduction and health of bees, threatening their survival. 

Some studies also postulate that pesticides can cause Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) — a condition where worker bees in a colony lose their sense of direction and can't navigate back to the hive, resulting in their demise (bee-health, 2019).

• Disease: Bees are vulnerable to diseases such as Nosema disease, European foulbrood disease, and chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV). These diseases can weaken bees, and compromise their immune systems, ultimately leading to declining bee populations.
• Invasive Species and Competition: Introducing non-native plants and animals can result in the newly introduced species outcompeting native bees for scarce floral resources. Generally, invasive species disrupt ecological balances and put a strain on already vulnerable bees.

For instance, the Varroa mite, which came to the U.S. from Asia, is a huge threat to honey bees in America because honey bees in the U.S. aren't naturally adapted to protect themselves against the mite.

• Climate Change: Climate change and global warming can disrupt the synchronized relationship between plants and bees. Changes in flowering times can lead to a mismatch between the availability of forage and the bees' foraging period. 

Extreme weather conditions, such as droughts and floods, can also impact bees because they can result in food scarcity and prevent bees from reproducing. For instance, in the U.K., rising water levels threaten the existence of sea aster mining bees (Jackson, 2019).

Why Are Bees So Important?

Concerns about the decline of bee populations have echoed across the globe because bees play a critical role in our ecosystems. Here are some reasons why bees are so important:

Food Security: Bees are essential to food chains because they pollinate a variety of fruits and vegetables. For instance, blueberries and cherries rely heavily on honey bees for pollination (Petruzzello, n.d.). Without honey bees, these plants wouldn't survive. As a result, without bees, the availability of many nutritious and commercially important crops would be severely threatened.  

Biodiversity: Bees are highly efficient pollinators. As a result, they promote the survival of various plants by helping them to reproduce. Bees also provide food for other wildlife, including birds and insects, further promoting biodiversity. For instance, bee-eater birds depend on bees for food. 

Ecological Balance: Bees promote ecological balance. They help decompose organic matter, promoting nutrient recycling and soil health. Bees also pollinate crops that provide shelter and food for other animals, promoting ecological balance.

Honey Production: Honey bees are prized for producing honey — a natural sweetener with medicinal properties. The production of honey also contributes to economic growth because honey provides income for beekeepers and companies.

FAQ'S

Are Honey Bee Colonies Endangered? 

Honey bees aren't vulnerable to extinction because they are a managed species that beekeepers keep for honey. However, several wild bees are on the verge of extinction or facing significant population declines.

For example, the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee (Bombus affinis) is critically endangered in the U.S. and Canada. 

Which Country Has the Most Honey Bee Hives?

India has the most honey bee hives at just over 12 million, followed by China with roughly nine million. 

How Can We Protect Bees From Extinction?

We can prevent the decline or loss of bees by protecting natural bee habitats, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, creating awareness about the importance of bees, and advocating for policy changes. 

We can also protect bees from extinction by supporting local beekeeping associations that promote bee-friendly practices and purchasing local honey to provide local beekeepers with income to support themselves.

What Chemicals Are Most Harmful to the Honey Bee?

Various insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides are harmful to honey bees. Neonicotinoid insecticides, such as imidacloprid, clothianidin, and thiamethoxam, are especially harmful to honey bees because they can affect their reproduction, navigation, and nervous systems.

What Happens If Bees Go Extinct?

The rapid decline of bee populations or their extinction would have dire implications for ecological systems and human society. Some serious ramifications would include declining food supply and losing biodiversity. 

The decline or loss of bees would also have significant economic consequences because the agricultural sector relies heavily on bees for pollination. As a result, a decrease in crop yields would lead to serious financial losses for farmers, reduced agricultural productivity, and increased food costs for consumers. Additionally, the honey industry and other bee-related industries would also be affected. 

Who are the key players in protecting pollinators and biodiversity?

illuminem's Data Hub™ tracks leading companies in the protection of pollinators and biodiversity, such as BASF, Syngenta, Corteva Agriscience, Comvita and Honeywell, which are making strides in sustainable agriculture and protecting bee populations.

How Can We Pollinate Without Bees?

While bees are highly efficient pollinators, there are various alternatives to pollination without bees. These techniques include hand, wind, mechanical and drone pollination.

Nonetheless, these pollination techniques aren't a perfect substitute for bee pollination. While they can mimic bee pollination, they may not wholly replicate the effectiveness and efficacy of bees as pollinators.

Conclusions  

Bees are highly efficient pollinators that are vital to ecosystems and human society. Without them, there would be a decline in food supply and biodiversity. As a result, we can't afford to take the issues causing dwindling bee populations lightly. 

We must all unite and make a concerted effort to address the issues endangering bees, such as climate change, habitat loss, unsustainable agricultural practices, diseases, and invasive species. By addressing these issues, we can contribute to the protection of bees and the preservation of our natural ecosystems for future generations.

Sources

illuminem's Data Hub™ tracking sustainability performance data of biodiversity leaders: BASF, Syngenta, Corteva Agriscience, Comvita and Honeywell.

Zattara, E. E., & Aizen, M. A. (2021). Worldwide occurrence records suggest a global decline in bee species richness. One Earth, 4(1), 114–123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2020.12.005

Bombus affinis | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. (n.d.). FWS.gov. https://www.fws.gov/species/rusty-patched-bumble-bee-bombus-affinis

Endangered Species Listing Warranted for 7 Species of Hawaiian Yellow-faced Bees | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. (2011, September 6). FWS.gov. https://www.fws.gov/story/2011-09/endangered-species-listing-warranted-7-species-hawaiian-yellow-faced-bees

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Species Status for Franklin’s Bumble Bee. (2021, August 24). Federal Register. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/08/24/2021-17832/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-endangered-species-status-for-franklins-bumble-bee

Kuhlmann, M. 2014. Megachile pluto. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2014: e.T4410A21426160. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T4410A21426160.en. Accessed on 17 May 2023.

Kline, O., & Joshi, N. K. (2020). Mitigating the Effects of Habitat Loss on Solitary Bees in Agricultural Ecosystems. Agriculture, 10(4), 115. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture10040115

bee-health. (2019, August 20). Pesticides and Their Involvement in  Colony Collapse Disorder – Bee Health. https://bee-health.extension.org/pesticides-and-their-involvement-in-colony-collapse-disorder/

Jackson, L. (2019) East of England Bee Report: A report on the status

of threatened bees in the region with recommendations for conservation action. Buglife - The Invertebrate Conservation Trust, Peterborough. https://www.wwf.org.uk/sites/default/files/2019-05/EofE%20bee%20report%202019%20FINAL_17MAY2019.pdf

Petruzzello, M. (n.d.). What Would Happen If All the Bees Died? Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/story/what-would-happen-if-all-the-bees-died