Its official, for the first time in the United States, a bumblebee species has been declared endangered. The bumblebee has been added to the ever-growing list of endangered species along with the grizzly bear, the northern spotted owl, the gray wolf, and about 700 other animal species which are extinct.
The rusty-patched bee (Bombus affinis – named like this because of the red patch in its abdomen) has now been restricted to protections in the continental US as its population keeps dwindling at an alarming rate. It has been estimated that as much as 95% only exists in isolated pockets in twelve states and the province of Ontario Canada.
“There are a few little spots where we know they are,” James Stranger, a research entomologist and bumble be ecologist told Forbes. “But only a really few spots.”
“We are thrilled to see one of North America’s most endangered species receive the protection it needs. Now that the Fish and Wildlife Service has listed the rusty-patched bumble bee as endangered, it stands a chance of surviving the many threats it faces — from the use of neonicotinoid pesticides to diseases.”
Sarah Jepsen, Xerces Society, director of endangered species
“While this listing clearly supports the rusty patched bumble bee, the entire suite of pollinators that share its habitat, and which are so critical to natural ecosystems and agriculture, will also benefit. This is a positive step towards the conservation of this species, and we now have to roll up our sleeves to begin the actual on-the-ground conservation that will help it move toward recovery.”
Rich Hatfield, Xerces Society, a senior conservation biologist
The bumblebee isn’t the first U.S. bee to be deemed endangered
Seven species of Hawaiian yellow-faced bees have already received protection under the Endangered Species Act. The dangers confronting those seven species are like the ones that have led to the brink of extinction the rusty patched bumblebee populations: loss of natural habitat, diseases and parasites, pesticides, and climate change. This is quite serious for bees as well as for people, since bees fertilize a great deal of our food.
“Bumblebees are among the most important pollinators of crops such as blueberries, cranberries, and clover, and almost the only insect pollinators of tomatoes”
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
According to a study handled by the Center for Biological Diversity published in February 2018, under the title ‘Pollinators in peril,’ an astounding 347 species of bees native to North America and Hawai are rapidly spiraling towards extinction.
Saving bees might not be a crucial task for some people, many believe that conservation efforts should start at once. Therefore, they signed an agreement urging the listing of the rusty-patched bumble bee.
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