Bees, Butterflies Closer to Extinction

A United Nations science report cautions that many species of butterflies, bees, and other pollinators are getting closer to extinction. The nearly 20,000 species are an important element in billions of dollars’ of crops every year, including those for coffee and chocolate, in addition to lots of fruits and vegetables. Pollinators like hummingbirds and bats are in a slightly better position, with one in six species inching toward extinction. Officials say they suspect pesticides and habitat loss are contributing factors, but scientists have been unable to point toward a specific cause.