Summary: Bee population declines have been recognized for a few decades now – but it is only since 2017 that federal action on has really ramped up with the listing of the first federally endangered bumble bee species (Rusty Patched Bumble Bee; Bombus affinis). A once common species throughout the northeastern United States, the species has been lost from nearly 90% of its historic range. Since the listing of the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, another bumble bee species (Bombus franklini) has been listed with several more proposed for listing. In this talk, we will provide an overview of current science working to understand population declines and inform recovery plans of these important and fascinating species. We’ll present recent research on changing food availability for bumble bees as well as an ongoing population genetics study. We’ll also highlight ongoing efforts of other federal scientists working on occupancy modeling, searching for a long-lost species, and provide an outlook towards the future.  

Sources/Usage: Public Domain.