HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania lawmakers have ordered a new statewide study on pollinators and other invertebrates, a move supporters say is aimed at protecting agriculture and the state’s ecosystem.
What This Means for You
- State officials will study pollinators like bees and butterflies
- Findings could shape future conservation and agriculture policy
- A final report is due within 180 days
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Monday adopted House Resolution 66, directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to examine conservation policies for invertebrates such as bees, butterflies, and beetles.
Invertebrates are animals without a backbone, many of which serve as pollinators—organisms that transfer pollen between plants, enabling crops and flowers to grow.
Economic and Agricultural Impact
Rep. Chris Pielli, D-Chester, who sponsored the resolution, said pollinators play a critical role in Pennsylvania’s agricultural economy.
“Without these insects and pollinators, our flowers and crops cannot survive,” Pielli said. “This threatens our agricultural industry, which is crucial to our state’s economy.”
According to data cited in the resolution, pollination contributes approximately $250 million in value to Pennsylvania crops that rely on increased fruit and vegetable production, along with an additional $9.3 million tied to seed production. The total economic value of insect pollination across the United States is estimated at $34 billion.
Pielli warned that declining pollinator populations could reduce both food production and economic output.
Declining Species and Conservation Concerns
The Pennsylvania State Wildlife Action Plan identifies 238 terrestrial invertebrates as species of greatest conservation need.
Among them is the monarch butterfly, a key pollinator that has experienced a 90% population decline in North America and is now considered endangered.
“Strengthening our understanding of the environment is not just useful but essential for agriculture, the state economy, a clean environment, and for our general welfare,” Pielli said.
Next Steps
The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee will conduct the study and deliver findings and recommendations to the General Assembly within 180 days of the resolution’s adoption.
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