Bees are integral to many ecosystems and agricultural systems, generating public interest regarding their well-being. The term “protected species” refers to a classification given to plants or animals facing a risk of extinction, making their conservation a legal priority. This designation aims to prevent further decline and aid in recovery efforts for vulnerable populations. Public discussions about bee populations frequently highlight their decline, prompting questions about which species receive legal protection.
Not All Bees Are Protected
Globally, there are an estimated 20,000 to 20,700 different bee species, with approximately 3,600 to 4,000 native to North America alone. Despite this vast diversity, the majority of bee species do not have specific legal protection under national or international conservation laws. Conservation efforts typically focus on individual species or groups that have experienced significant population declines and are identified as being at risk.
Key Protected Bee Species and Their Status
Several bee species have received legal protection due to their imperiled status. In the United States, the rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis) was listed as an endangered species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 2017, marking the first federal protection for a wild bee in the contiguous U.S. Its historic range once spanned 28 states and two Canadian provinces, but its population has significantly declined by an estimated 87% since the late 1990s, with remaining populations found in only 13 states. It is also listed as endangered under Canada’s Species at Risk Act and categorized as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
Before the rusty patched bumble bee, seven species of Hawaiian yellow-faced bees (Hylaeus spp.) were listed as endangered under the ESA in 2016, making them the first bees in the U.S. to receive federal protection. Additionally, in California, four native bumble bee species—the western, Franklin’s, Suckley cuckoo, and Crotch’s bumble bees—became eligible for protection under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) following a 2022 court ruling that confirmed insects could be protected under the state’s act. Further, other species like the American bumblebee, Southern Plains bumblebee, variable cuckoo bumblebee, and blue calamintha bee are currently being evaluated for potential ESA protection. In Europe, a 2014 assessment of nearly 2,000 bee species revealed that 9% are threatened with extinction.
Legal Safeguards for Protected Bees
When a bee species is legally protected, it gains various safeguards designed to promote its survival and recovery. Under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, for instance, it is generally prohibited to “take” (which broadly includes harming, harassing, or killing) individuals of a protected species without a permit. Federal agencies are also required to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on any actions that might affect listed species, ensuring their projects do not jeopardize the bee’s existence. This can lead to specific requirements for habitat preservation, such as maintaining undisturbed nesting sites and foraging resources. Legal protections also address threats like pesticide use. For example, the listing of the rusty patched bumble bee under the ESA means that the impacts of certain pesticides, particularly neonicotinoids, on this species must be considered in federal decisions regarding their registration and use. Some regulations may also restrict the release of non-native species or managed bees that could transmit pathogens or diseases to wild, protected populations.
Why Bee Protection Matters
Bees play a fundamental role in ecosystems globally as pollinators. They are responsible for pollinating approximately 80% of all flowering plants worldwide, including about 75% of the food crops consumed by humans, contributing to an estimated one out of every three bites of food. Their pollination services are crucial for the reproduction of many wild plants and the productivity of agricultural systems.
Many bee populations are declining due to a combination of factors. Habitat loss, driven by agricultural expansion and urbanization, reduces the availability of nesting sites and diverse food sources. The widespread use of pesticides, especially systemic insecticides like neonicotinoids, directly harms bees and compromises their immune systems. Climate change, with its altered weather patterns and impacts on flowering seasons, also disrupts bee life cycles and their interactions with plants. Additionally, diseases and parasites, such as Varroa mites, further stress bee colonies. Legal protection provides a necessary framework to address these threats and prevent the extinction of these ecologically valuable insects.