The Society for the Conservation of Invertebrates has filed a petition to add several bumblebee species to the endangered species list. The Rusty Patched, Western, and Yellow Bumblebees have all seen population declines in current years, in addition to the Franklin’s bumblebee, which is already considered a critically endangered species. The society hopes that the US Department of Agriculture will approve actions to measure and regulate the commercial movement of bumblebees between states. Diseases are killing bumblebees, with two species (Franklin’s and Rusty Patched) on the brink of extinction. The petition requests that the bumblebees receive a certification that they are disease-free so that they can be moved to non-native areas of the country.
Bumblebees are best known for their transmission of pollen between plants, vibrating their flight muscles to shake pollen off plants in odd ways and then disperse the pollen. In addition, the shaggy hairs on their backs, called pila, build up electrostatic charges as they fly, causing pollen to be drawn to their pile. Only the queen and worker bees have the ability to sting, while the small male bumblebee does not. However, they are not aggressive insects and do not sting unless necessary, as worker bees will die after stinging a human and lose their stinger in our muscle tissue. Bumblebees produce honey, as their cousins the honey bees are known, but they only produce it in quantities to feed their young.
Bumblebee populations have declined due to habitat destruction and the use of pesticides. Bees are estimated to have lost 90% of their population in the last 50 years, with Africanized bees taking over some areas. Bumblebees are especially vulnerable where cotton is grown, as the crop tends to be sprayed with insecticide many times during the growing season. Even in typical gardens, bumblebees are losing ground as homeowners treat dandelions and clovers like weeds, depriving bees of needed nutrients. Other types of property development and destruction of natural weeds and flowers are equally harmful. Conservationists hope to restore wildlife areas and encourage diversification of landscapes with bee-friendly plants.
