The European honeybee, Apis mellifera, originated in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. European settlers introduced the species to North America in 1622 for honey production and agricultural support, classifying it as an introduced or non-native species. The distinction between “non-native” and “invasive” is based on ecological impact. A non-native species exists outside its historical range, while an invasive species is non-native but causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm.
For the managed honeybee, classification is complex because the species is intentionally managed for human benefit yet has established feral populations. While the species provides economic benefits, its unmanaged populations exert pressure on native ecosystems, leading many ecologists to consider them ecologically invasive. This dual role means context—wild versus agricultural—is necessary for a full understanding.
Ecological Competition and Disease Transmission
The arguments for considering honeybees ecologically invasive center on their immense population size and foraging efficiency, which disrupts local ecosystems. A single managed honeybee colony can house tens of thousands of individuals, far outnumbering native bee colonies. This high density leads to exploitative competition, where honeybees deplete limited pollen and nectar resources faster than native species, such as solitary bees and bumblebees.
Studies show that increased honeybee abundance results in a measurable decrease in available floral resources for native bees. Native bee communities respond to this scarcity by altering foraging patterns, which negatively affects their reproductive success. Honeybees possess a highly efficient recruitment system, using the “waggle dance” to mobilize large numbers of foragers, giving them a significant advantage over solitary native species.
A second major ecological concern is the transmission of pathogens, known as spillover, from managed honeybees to native bee populations. Honeybees carry numerous diseases and parasites spread globally through commercial beekeeping. The Varroa destructor mite, for example, is a primary vector for viruses like Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) in managed hives.
While Varroa mites do not directly parasitize native North American bees, the high viral load they cause in honeybees can be transmitted to native bees, such as bumblebees, through shared flowers. DWV and other RNA viruses, including Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus (IAPV), have been detected in over 50 species of wild bees in North America. This spillover of novel pathogens poses a serious threat to native populations that have no evolved resistance.
The Essential Role in Commercial Agriculture
Despite the ecological concerns, Apis mellifera remains an indispensable component of modern commercial agriculture. This is primarily due to their sheer numbers, ease of management, and the ability to transport colonies across vast distances. The United States agricultural industry relies heavily on migratory beekeeping to pollinate large-scale monocultures.
The most prominent example is the California almond industry, which requires a massive pollination effort every spring. To meet this demand, approximately two million beehives, representing nearly all total managed colonies in the United States, are transported to California’s Central Valley annually. This early-season pollination is so intensive that almond pollination alone generated around \$325.8 million in 2024, accounting for about 81% of all U.S. pollination service receipts.
Native bees, while efficient pollinators for certain local plants, cannot provide the synchronous, large-scale pollination required by massive single-crop plantings. The honeybee’s role extends beyond almonds to high-value crops like apples, blueberries, and cranberries, making them an essential economic tool. This heavy reliance explains why the species is widely tolerated and managed despite its non-native status and potential for ecological disruption.
Supporting Native Pollinators
For individuals concerned about the competitive pressure on native species, the focus should shift toward promoting local biodiversity rather than merely debating the honeybee’s status.
Plant Native Flowers
One direct action is planting a diverse array of native, local-specific flowers that bloom sequentially throughout the season. These plants are the food sources to which native bees are best adapted.
Provide Nesting Habitats
Another practical step is to provide safe nesting habitats for the approximately 4,000 native bee species in North America, 70% of which nest in the ground. Gardeners can leave small, sunny patches of bare soil free of mulch or landscaping fabric for ground-nesting species like mining bees. For cavity-nesting species, leave hollow plant stems, such as those from elderberry or Joe Pye weed, standing through the winter.
Minimize Pesticide Use
Minimizing the use of broad-spectrum pesticides is one of the most effective ways to protect all local insect populations. Avoid chemicals like neonicotinoids. Apply any necessary treatment only in the evening, when native bees are not actively foraging, to reduce exposure. Choosing natural alternatives like neem oil or insecticidal soap further mitigates the chemical impact.