Bumblebee to endangered species list?

[LadyStanley]

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/20...ife-add-bumblebee-to-endangered-species-list/

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says the rusty patched bumblebee, also known as bombus affinis, is in danger of becoming extinct.

Much attention has been focused in California on the decline in honeybee colonies (Apis mellifera), but conservationists warn there are thousands of other bee species in North America under a far greater threat. According to a 2013 study published in Science, half of the Midwest’s native bee species have disappeared over the last 100 years.

According to the federal proposal, the rusty patched bumblebee once thrived in 28 states, the District of Columbia and Canada, but after a 90% decline, it is found in only 12 states and 1 Canadian province. The agency wants the bee listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.

90% decline? Wow.

(And that's not even taking into consideration any Africanized bees taking over)

Click to read more...

 

[Kestrel]

That's pretty bad. I was actually thinking to myself not all that long ago that I don't see bumblebees nearly as often as I used to. I don't know what species we have here, but I do think it's less common than when I was a kid.

 

[BackToTheBrierePatch]

yeah I have seen 1 bumblebee this year and that was the other day near my screen door. I live in the northeast so it was likely your typical bumblebee.

 

[MetalheadPenguinsFan]

As a person who'se terrified of bees, I'm ok with this.

 

[LadyStanley]

As a person who'se terrified of bees, I'm ok with this.

When the food prices go up because plants (that you eat) have to be hand pollinated, I think you'll change your mind.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_crop_plants_pollinated_by_bees