Florida’s Bee Species of Greatest Conservation Need

Twenty five bee species are listed as Species of Greatest Conservation Need in the Florida State Wildlife Action Plan. A diverse and abundant wild bee community is often more effective at pollination than honey bees, but wild bee abundance and diversity are dropping. Beyond crop pollination, bee pollinators are essential for flowering plants, 85% of which need pollinators. Bees are understudied compared to other animals that receive more public, media, and government attention. In recent years, public support for pollinator conservation has increased, but knowledge and awareness of the diversity of wild bees is lacking. This publication was created to raise public awareness of the diversity of Florida’s bees and the diversity of their life histories. It synthesizes information available on each bee species of conservation concern for quick reference by researchers and land managers interested in efforts to conserve these species.