US Puts Bumblebee On the Endangered Species List For First Time (npr.org)

For the first time for a bumblebee and a bee species in the U.S., the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has designated the bumblebee an endangered species. The protected status goes into effect on February 10, and includes requirements for federal protections and the development of a recovery plan. NPR reports: "Today's Endangered Species listing is the best -- and probably last -- hope for the recovery of the rusty patched bumble bee," NRDC Senior Attorney Rebecca Riley said in a statement from the Xerces Society, which advocates for invertebrates. "Bumble bees are dying off, vanishing from our farms, gardens, and parks, where they were once found in great numbers." Large parts of the Eastern and Midwestern United States were once crawling with these bees, Bombus affinis, but the bees have suffered a dramatic decline in the last two decades due to habitat loss and degradation, along with pathogens and pesticides. Indeed, the bee was found in 31 states and Canadian provinces before the mid- to late-1990s, according to the final rule published in the Federal Register. But since 2000, it has been reported in only 13 states and Ontario, Canada. It has seen an 88 percent decline in the number of populations and an 87 percent loss in the amount of territory it inhabits. This means the species is vulnerable to extinction, the rule says, even without further habitat loss or insecticide exposure. Canada designated the species as endangered in 2012.

Comments

Re:This is one type; others have less decline

[Maritz]

Oh, I expect it's all just a big conspiracy so scientists can keep getting research grants. No?

Re:thanks Monsanto !

[Mashiki]

It's not Monsanto. But keep believing it is, if it makes you feel better. Up next: DDT is causing the deaths of eagles by egg shell thinning! Wait why did their population increase? No wait, it's killing robins -- oops no supporting theory. Population remained stable or increased. No wait it's pelicans...oh wait...oil spill. It's causing cancer in humans! Wait, no supporting evidence in multiple clinical studies.

This has far more to do with government "environmental" policies which have been pushed by environmentalists and people who want that flawless green lawn then anything else. Things like "noxious weed acts" which destroy plants that support bumblebee populations. Pushed by environmentalists in big cities to get rid of flowering plants which cause allergies. That in turn allowed herbicide spraying to kill or keep them under control. That leads to widespread destruction of flowering areas for the sake of green grass/reduce air allergens. Need another example? Monarch butterflies. Mass population decline, what's the strong correlation? Same noxious weed acts which banned/required destruction of milkweed. Most places have rescinded that. But it wasn't more then a year or two ago in most of north america you could be fined for having it growing on your property because it was considered a weed. Gee what's started to happen? The population has coming back.

Re:thanks Monsanto !

[Mashiki]

You're a fuckwit, ok eh?

What's that? Oh, you're part of the left/progressive/etc these days. And instead of being introspective and trying to figure out why you're on such a decline. You'd rather resort to name calling, labels, claim everyone is racists/sexists/misogynists/using insults. Keep digging, by all means. Then when you're wondering "gee where the fuck did our power, and base go" you can go back and read this comment.