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Cutting Bee Science Risks Our Food System

Maeve Kiley


The Biologists Beyond Bees



A bee on a coneflower.
Bees are instrumental to human food production.

The USGS Bee Lab, located at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, was created in 2002. Wildlife biologist Sam Droege built and established the lab alongside other researchers and biologists to identify, track, and monitor native bee populations. In the very first year, the lab attracted hundreds of the region’s native bee species through only mowing the lawn during the winter. They studied these species, alongside the nation’s other native pollinators, and the ecosystems they thrive in.


The lab catalogs thousands of American pollinators and offers free, public access to photos of their important work. They study intricate pollinator maps: tracking their movements, identifying the plants they pollinate, tracking invasive species, developing survey methodologies, and refining insect trapping techniques for further research. Only 30% of native American bees are pollen specialists, so these services are crucial to preventing species extinction. The USGS work also affects beekeepers, as their research helps determine what bees are eating (by metabarcoding pollen to detect what plants the bees are focusing on) and what diseases are affecting them.


The USGS Bee Lab maintains open access to the public on their research endeavors. They, alongside the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), started a public-domain database of over a million specimens. The database contains scientific publications, journals, articles, and high-resolution photos. The lab has made numerous contributions to the scientific community and nation. In 2002, the lab developed a standardized National Protocol Framework for monitoring bees and other pollinators that is used across the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s refuge system. In October 2024, reports arrived at the lab’s door detailing how invasive plants were harming the soil of bee-dominated ecosystems. After copious research and controlled experiments, the USGS Bee Lab successfully used woodchip layers to smother invasive species while also restoring the soil.


Legislative Changes & the Dangerous Consequences


In early May of 2026, an updated budget plan was sent to Congress, which targeted a 90% reduction to the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Ecosystem Mission Area. The USGS directly funds and manages the USGS Bee Lab. This has indefinitely paused research and funding. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposed closing a major research institution, the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, which works alongside the Bee Lab and contributes its own pollinator research. Massive lay-offs have affected both facilities, and outsourcing to Cornell University has already begun.


This decision could not have come at a worse time. In winter 2025, American beekeepers lost over half their operations as pesticide-resistant varroa mites spread, bringing viruses and devastating ecosystems. This led to nationwide low honey production, worsened by rising fuel costs, which makes it difficult to ship replacement bees cross-country. Historically, the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center supports beekeepers during these hard times: providing free diagnostic services and working with other bee labs to solve the crisis. Natural combatants to the varroa mite virus are still in production, but research has been halted due to the funding cuts and the bee labs’ uncertain futures.


Colony Collapse & the Importance of Pollinators


Bees are a crucial part of the American ecosystem. According to the USDA’s research, out of 3 bites of food eaten by Americans, 1 is dependent upon bee pollination. California’s Central Valley produces the majority of the world’s almond supply, and Florida’s citrus is a staple of the state. All crops link back to pollinators, and bees support the U.S. economy. If pollinator populations go down, the price of food will go up, and the world will plunge into intense uncertainty and fear. The tragedy of this situation is the obliviousness towards how neglecting to take care of bees (and the environment) harms the nation.


Everyone needs to do their part during this uncertain period for pollinators. When planting gardens, research native plants and safe, diverse forage that directly support pollinators by providing them with food. When designing gardens, bare ground is important alongside well-drained dirt for ground-nesting bees who deserve a home.


Pesticides and toxic chemicals harm pollinators and other wildlife. Harmful chemicals do not just hurt pollinators, but they can make pets and people sick as well. Synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides should be avoided and replaced with natural solutions such as homemade sprays, scent repellents, and weeding.


It is important to be knowledgeable about the lives of the world’s pollinators and the researchers, scientists, and activists that fight to protect them. Support bees and their scientists. Protect pollinators and protect the world.


Works Cited:


The Bee Lab | U.S. geological survey. (n.d.-h). https://www.usgs.gov/publications/bee-lab

Shutting down Federal Bee Labs threatens bees, beekeepers and the US Food System. (n.d.-g). https://theconversation.com/shutting-down-federal-bee-labs-threatens-bees-beekeepers-and-the-us-food-system-283358

What is the role of native bees in the United States? | U.S. geological survey. (n.d.-i). https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-role-native-bees-united-states


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