Research counters claims that honey bees harm native bee populations, highlighting broader pollinator threats

A group of entomologists and researchers—Christina Grozinger, Andony Melathopolous, Clare Rittschof, Harland Patch, and Jay Evans—argue that managed honey bees are not responsible for declines in North America's native bee species. Their analysis, originally published in The Conversation, notes that evidence does not support the idea that honey bees outcompete wild bees for resources. Instead, pollinator declines are driven by habitat loss, rising temperatures, extreme weather, diseases, and pesticide use. In the United States, half of all honey bee colonies die each winter on average, with commercial beekeepers experiencing record losses of over 60% in the 2024-25 winter. About one-fifth of North American pollinators are at risk of extinction. Bees, including honey bees, are essential for agriculture, contributing $34 billion to the U.S. economy and pollinating around 75% of the world's crops. The researchers point out that data on bee interactions is scarce, with only 15% of studies measuring honey bee competition's impact on native species' survival and reproduction. Native bee hot spots, such as the Sonoran Desert, rarely overlap with commercial beekeeping areas. To support pollinators, the authors recommend planting diverse flowering plants and advocating for bee-friendly practices in communities.