It’s OK to love all the bees (the honey bees, too)

The accusations you might have heard about nonnative honey bees aren’t backed up by evidence. In fact, there are plenty of ways bees make the world a better place.

By: Christina Grozinger, Penn State; Andony Melathopoulos, Oregon State University; Clare Rittschof, University of Kentucky; Harland Patch, Penn State, and Jay Evans, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: April 9, 2026

Words: 1,497

Last Updated: 3 months, 3 weeks ago

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By Christina Grozinger, Penn State; Andony Melathopoulos, Oregon State University; Clare Rittschof, University of Kentucky; Harland Patch, Penn State, and Jay Evans, Agricultural Research Service, USDA

North America’s bee populations are in trouble, but don’t blame the honey bees. While some people argue that an overabundance of managed honey bees – those raised to help pollinate crops and produce honey – is causing native bees to disappear, the evidence doesn’t support the claim.

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