5 myths about bees: The truth about these remarkable insects

The document dispels five myths about bees, emphasizing that while honey bees are well-known, they are a non-native domesticated species in North America and are not the only, nor necessarily the most efficient, pollinators. It highlights that over 20,000 bee species exist globally, with many native species in North America declining due to climate change, habitat loss, and pesticides. The text explains that bees are critical for ecosystem stability, as their extinction would lead to plant loss, soil erosion, and increased atmospheric carbon. It also details specific biological traits, such as 'buzz-pollination' used by bumble bees and the existence of stingless honey bees in regions like Australia and Mexico.

• There are over 20,000 known bee species globally, but honey bees (Apis meliferra) are a domesticated species that are not at risk of extinction; conversely, many of the 4,000 native bee species in North America are declining because of climate change, habitat loss, and pesticides.
• While wind- or self-pollinated crops like wheat and corn would survive if bees went extinct, the loss of bees would cause a cascading effect on ecosystems on every continent except Antarctica, potentially leading to plant extinction, soil erosion, water loss, and increased carbon release into the atmosphere.
• Native bees are often more efficient pollinators than honey bees; for example, bumble bees use a technique called sonication, or buzz-pollination, to vibrate their bodies and release pollen from blueberry and tomato flowers.
• Bee biology and behavior vary widely: only female bees can sting, 90% of species are solitary, and some species have evolved specialized traits, such as the ability to navigate by moonlight or the existence of stingless honey bees in Australia, Mexico, and Central and South America.

APA

WWF International (n.d.). 5 myths about bees: The truth about these remarkable insects. https://www.worldwildlife.org/resources/facts/five-myths-about-bees-the-truth-about-these-remarkable-insects/

Chicago

WWF International. 5 myths about bees: The truth about these remarkable insects. n.d. https://www.worldwildlife.org/resources/facts/five-myths-about-bees-the-truth-about-these-remarkable-insects/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=5 myths about bees: The truth about these remarkable insects |url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/resources/facts/five-myths-about-bees-the-truth-about-these-remarkable-insects/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternationalndmyths, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{5 myths about bees: The truth about these remarkable insects}}, institution = {WWF International}, url = {https://www.worldwildlife.org/resources/facts/five-myths-about-bees-the-truth-about-these-remarkable-insects/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }