North America Faces a Sprawling ‘Pollinator Crisis,’ Study Says

Our pollinators in in peril, a new study released this week suggests. This is especially true for bees, with over one-third of native bee species at risk of extinction.

Overall, the new research found that more than 22% of native pollinators in North America are at an elevated risk of extinction. This first-of-its-kind assessment evaluated nearly 1,600 species — including bees, beetles, butterflies, moths, flower flies, bats, and hummingbirds.

“Our study provides the most comprehensive picture yet of the pollinator crisis in North America,” said Tara Cornelisse, lead author of the study and lead zoologist at NatureServe, one of the organizations that conducted the research. “The results highlight the impact of insect declines and show the urgent need for conservation action.”