More than Just Honeybees: Exploring Native Insect Pollinator Knowledge and Support in Colorado

Developing publicly supported policies that benefit native insect pollinators requires understanding public knowledge and beliefs, evaluating support for pollinator conservation policies, and testing whether messaging about native insect pollinators influences public support. We conducted a survey of 805 Colorado residents to address these gaps. Our findings revealed respondents believed honeybees were native to Colorado and didn't feel knowledgeable about native insect pollinators. An experimental messaging intervention did not significantly increase concern for native pollinators or willingness to donate to their conservation. However, there was strong preexisting public support for nine hypothetical pollinator conservation policies, such as removing taxes on native plants, creating no-spray areas, and eliminating pesticides in schools. Respondents were willing to pay an average of $25.08 to subsidize roadside native plantings and $41.36 for a statewide beekeeper registration program. The widespread buzz about honeybees could be channeled into broader advocacy for overlooked native insects essential to healthy ecosystems.