The American bumblebee has vanished from eight states – Bee population has plummeted by 89 percent over past 20 years – “Endangered species” listing could be imminent
By Elizabeth Gamillo
6 October 2021
(Smithsonian) – The American bumblebee (Bombus pensylvanicus)—once abundant and found lazily floating around in grasslands, open prairies, and some urban areas throughout the United States—now face a rapidly declining population.
According to a proposed rule released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the species’ population has dropped nearly 90 percent and could qualify for protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Independent’s Graeme Massie reports. Despite dwindling population numbers, the American bumblebee is not protected in any state or by federal law.
American bumblebees are a vital pollinator for wildflowers and crops, and their decline could have severe consequences for the environment. The species has completely vanished from eight states, including Maine, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Idaho, North Dakota, Wyoming, and Oregon, Ben Turner reports for Live Science. The bumblebee species have declined by 99 percent in New York. In the Midwest and Southeast, population numbers have dropped by more than 50 percent. […]
Depending on the results of a forthcoming year-long review, the American bumblebee could be legally protected under the ESA, which would provide rules and framework for saving the species from extinction, reports Live Science. Currently, only two bumblebee species, the rusty patched and Franklin’s, receive ESA protection. [more]
The American Bumblebee Has Vanished From Eight States
American bumblebee populations plummet 90 per cent
By Graeme Massie
29 September 2021
LOS ANGELES (The Independent) – The American bumblebee population has plummeted by almost 90 per cent and is edging its way towards Endangered Species Act protection, according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
The agency says that adding the insect to the ESA “may be warranted” and will now carry out a one year review.
In the past two decades bumblebee numbers have dropped 89 per cent in the US and they have completely disappeared from eight states.
Those states are Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Idaho, North Dakota, Oregon and Wyoming.
And in New York State the American bumblebee population has dropped by 99 per cent, while other regions in the southeast and midwest have seen declines of more than 50 per cent.
But despite the worrying declines, the American bumblebee is currently not protected by any state or federal endangered species laws.
Officials say that the population has been hard hit by a string of threats, including habitat loss, pesticides, disease, climate change, and competition from (non-native) honeybees.
Pesticides have also reduced the population’s survival, harms reproduction, as well as bumblebee immune systems.
A weakened immune system then makes the bumblebee more vulnerable to diseases spread by domesticated bumblebees and honeybees.
The announcement comes in response to a 2021 by the Center for Biological Diversity and the Bombus Pollinator Association of Law Students of Albany Law School.
“This is an important first step in preventing the extinction of this fuzzy black-and-yellow beauty that was once a familiar sight,” said Jess Tyler, a Center for Biological Diversity scientist and petition co-author.
“To survive unchecked threats of disease, habitat loss and pesticide poisoning, American bumblebees need the full protection of the Endangered Species Act right now.” [more]
