Insect pollinators: The time is now for identifying species of greatest conservation need

Abstract

Severe declines in the abundance of insects, including economically and ecologically important pollinators, are alarming conservationists and the public. Yet despite these increasingly well-documented declines, relatively few pollinating insects other than butterflies, moths, and bumble bees have appeared as Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) in State Wildlife Action Plans, decadal-scale blueprints for wildlife conservation efforts across the United States that require updating in 2025. Species absent from SGCN lists are ineligible for congressionally appropriated State Wildlife Grants that direct millions of dollars annually for their conservation. In the past, knowledge about the distribution and abundance of many insect pollinators was too poor to identify those meeting state guidelines for inclusion as SGCN. Using case studies from 4 northeastern states, we demonstrate that sufficient conservation status data now exist for many pollinators, including bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, and flower flies, to identify at-risk species meriting inclusion on SGCN lists in many states. Doing so will increase funding for surveys, habitat protection and enhancement, and other conservation activities that will benefit this vitally important guild.