PA House Passes Resolution Directing State Officials To Do An Assessment On How To Better Protect Bees, Butterflies, Fireflies And Other Native Pennsylvania Insects

On May 4, the House passed House Resolution 66 (Pielli-D-Chester) which directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study how to best manage the state’s native bees, butterflies and other insects native to Pennsylvania by a vote of 112-89-- 9 Republicans supporting.

Insects and other invertebrates are the bedrock of a healthy environment and of critical agricultural importance, but many species found in Pennsylvania are on the decline.

For example: 

-- Fireflies - Pennsylvania’s state insect, the Pennsylvania firefly, is threatened here and elsewhere in the United States. And as of 2021, 128 U.S. firefly species are at risk of extinction. 

-- Bees - Of the Commonwealth’s 437 native species of bees, one-third are in decline, and our rusty patched bumble bee is listed as federally  endangered. 

-- Butterflies - The monarch butterfly has declined by 90% across North America and is a candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act, as is the eastern regal fritillary butterfly, whose only known population is in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. 

House Resolution 66 was introduced by Rep. Chris Pielli and directs the LBFC to survey the work already being done by Pennsylvania’s state agencies, as well as identify approaches being taken in other states. 

In doing so, it will provide valuable insights to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and other agencies as to how to best monitor and manage Pennsylvania’s neglected wildlife.

Stephanie Wein, clean water & conservation advocate for PennEnvironment, issued the following statement--

“From the majestic monarch butterfly that migrates across Pennsylvania each year, to the firefly that lights up our summer nights, to the bees that pollinate our orchards and wildflowers, insect diversity is the cornerstone of a healthy environment. 

“Most Pennsylvanians are shocked to learn that our state’s beloved bees, butterflies and other native pollinators don’t have the same protections as the commonwealth’s other wildlife - all while ecologists sound the alarm that we are facing an “insect apocalypse.” 

“PennEnvironment applauds Rep. Chris Pielli for championing this issue and is glad to see the bipartisan support for protecting Pennsylvania’s small but mighty wildlife. 

“House Resolution 66 is a critical first step towards making sure these important species have the protections they deserve.”

[Posted: May 5, 2026]  PA Environment Digest