Guardian - 3-Year Study Shows 4 Common US Bumblebee Species Down 96% Since 1980s

[hatrack]

The abundance of four common species of bumblebee in the US has dropped by 96% in just the past few decades, according to the most comprehensive national census of the insects. Scientists said the alarming decline, which could have devastating implications for the pollination of both wild and farmed plants, was likely to be a result of disease and low genetic diversity in bee populations.

Bumblebees are important pollinators of wild plants and agricultural crops around the world including tomatoes and berries thanks to their large body size, long tongues, and high-frequency buzzing, which helps release pollen from flowers. Bees in general pollinate some 90% of the world's commercial plants, including most fruits, vegetables and nuts. Coffee, soya beans and cotton are all dependent on pollination by bees to increase yields. It is the start of a food chain that also sustains wild birds and animals.

But the insects, along with other crucial pollinators such as moths and hoverflies, have been in serious decline around the world since the last few decades of the 20th century. It is unclear why, but scientists think it is from a combination of new diseases, changing habitats around cities, and increasing use of pesticides.

Sydney Cameron, an entomologist at the University of Illinois, led a team on a three-year study of the changing distribution, genetic diversity and pathogens in eight species of bumblebees in the US. By comparing her results with those in museum records of bee populations, she showed that the relative abundance of four of the sampled species (Bombus occidentalis, B. pensylvanicus, B. affinis and B. terricola) had declined by up to 96% and that their geographic ranges had contracted by 23% to 87%, some within just the past two decades.

EDIT

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/jan/03/bumblebees-study-us-decline

[postulater]

1. Not good. Not good at all.

Thanks for posting.

[truebrit71]

8. I agree...

...not good at all..

[truedelphi]

2. We didn't see many bees on our propertyhere in 2008, or 2009.

But maybe neighbors laid off the pesticides last year? We had a lost of bees on the place all last summer. They love the acacia brush, and the lavender and rosemary.

[truedelphi]

3. Big K & R. n/t

[jwirr]

4. Is there any information regarding where the bees are dying - interested

in which areas in USA.

[no_hypocrisy]

5. With 4% surviving, won't take long for extinction.

[BrklynLiberal]

6. horrifying...and the consequences of that will be limitless....

If global climate change does not eradicate mankind, this kind of stuff will....

[RKP5637]

7. As many Americans snooze thinking it's a bunch of LW kook hysteria. n/t

[WhiteTara]

9. I'm building skeps for my garden this year

to give them a place to rest in the heat of the day.

[arachadillo]

10. Bumblebee Populations

The abundance of four common species of bumblebee in the US has dropped by 96% in just the past few decades, according to the most comprehensive national census of the insects. Scientists said the alarming decline, which could have devastating implications for the pollination of both wild and farmed plants, was likely to be a result of disease and low genetic diversity in bee populations.

Someone inquired into the location of the bumblebee species with declining populations.

Here's some supplemental information from the study, including a map of the species surveyed (look toward the end of the document for the maps) You might have to click on the supporting information link and then click on the supporting information PDF).

The four species listed are common to:
Bombus occidentalis - Western Bumblebee - No surprise that it is a western species, and its population declines are well documented. The Xerces Society is currently an effort to document nesting places for the remaining population.
B. pensylvanicus: Many places east of the Rockies
B. affinis: Northeast and Upper Midwest
B. terricola: Primarily Upper Midwest and New England

[Dead_Parrot]

11. They are all on my lavender bushes

You want them back?

[Nihil]

12. Talk about geographically challenged creatures ...

Don't they know that they're supposed to be in North America not New Zealand?

Or are they just having a little holiday - flying South for the Winter?
:crazy: