The American Bumblebee Makes the Endangered Species List for the First Time
by Megan Ray Nichols

Bumblebees are known as a friendly kind of bee. They aren’t typically very aggressive and are usually hallmarks of warm, sunny days spent in flower-filled fields.

Or at least, they used to be. Early this year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) listed the American Bumblebee as endangered. This is groundbreaking because it’s the first time a bumblebee of any kind has been listed as endangered. It’s also the first time any bee in the continental U.S. has ever been listed. As of February 10th, 2017, the endangered status will become official.

The Downfall of the Bees

The American Bumblebee, also known as the rusty patched bumblebee, was difficult to collect data on. The USFWS has been collecting data on their numbers since 2013. In that research, they found the bumblebee’s numbers have been declining since at least the 1990s. The overall population has declined by 87% since then. This lack of study is one of the reasons they’re being placed on the endangered list in the first place.

Although insects are one of the first animals to react to environmental disruptions, it’s hard to notice if no one is paying attention. As a result, we were taken by surprise and unable to prevent the species’ decline. Our combined unwariness with climate change, decreasing wildflower habitat, fungus infections from bee colonies and pesticide use have worked together to bring the bumblebees to their lowest point.

What This Means for the Environment

Bees are one of the keystone species. This means they are an important part of the rest of the food chain and have the ability to alter it. Although this is only one species of bee being placed on the endangered list, it is one of the best pollinators. They work more than most other species, starting early in the spring and working late into the fall before they die off.

As a result, they are one of the top pollinators in the mainland United States. Animal pollinators, in general, are responsible for the pollination of 85% of flowering plants worldwide. Since this is the eighth species of bee to be listed, it can be taken as a very serious sign of the planet’s situation.

The seven other bee species are all from Hawaii and are rather isolated. However, they are also pollinators. Losing any of them is an intimidating sign. Without the pollinators, we will lose a great number of flowering plants. Those include almost all of our fruits — everything from apples to zucchini. This spells a huge problem for both the rest of the food chain and for ourselves. If we can’t depend on natural pollination, we will either have to manufacture it or say goodbye to those species.

How to Help

However, there are things you can do. Being listed as endangered does not mean the rusty patched bumblebee will go extinct. It only means we need to increase our efforts to prevent it from doing so. One of the biggest areas needed is research. This is a longer path to take, but getting a degree in the sciences is vital to protecting our planet. If you can’t get a degree, then simply utilizing free resources to increase your knowledge is also a great path.

For things you can get started on right away, one of the best things you can do is plant native flowering plants around your home. What those native flowers are depends on where you’re located, so everyone will have something different. You can also limit your use of pesticides, especially neonicotinoids, which have been found to be especially harmful to insects.

In addition to providing flowers for the bees, you can also help provide everything they might need. A muddy area will provide drinking water, and a brush pile with a collection of dry sticks, grass and twigs makes for a perfect area to build a hive. If you’re really invested, you could also try your hand at a bumblebee nest box. You can build your own or buy one — both options are available online.

While this may not be the best news we’ve had, it is certainly far from over. Make some simple changes, encourage pollinators of all kinds to come to your area and we can help the bees.