American Bumblebee

 

An American bumblebee extracting nectar and pollen.

There are over 250 bumblebee species worldwide, 16 in Canada and 49 in the US.  The American bumblebee can be found in both countries, although their numbers are declining.  It is estimated that they no longer inhabit 90% of their former range.  So, why is this once continental staple becoming rarer with each passing day?

As with many other organisms, their decline has been dominated by the loss of habitat and the introduction of non-native species.  Bumblebees favour open land, much of which is becoming increasingly unavailable.  The overuse of pesticides has helped decimate their populations.  Bees imported from Europe to facilitate greenhouse-grown plant pollination have brought ectoparasites and diseases with them that have found their way onto native species.  Let's not forget the effect that global warming is having on all populations.  This perfect storm of assault has left the American bumblebee vulnerable.

One may ask, why is this important?  After all, there are many species of bees, not just bumbles, that make up our important pollinators.  The answer has to do with using this group as an indicator species.  The pressure being applied to the American bumblebee is similar to what is happening to all other bees.  We are seeing the mass decline of all bee species across the board, and it no doubt will lead to our own peril.  As we blatantly consider our immediate needs and desires without taking into account the long-term consequences of those choices, we are painting a target on our backs that will eventually cause our own population collapse.  

Thanks for reading.

Eric Svendsen     www.ericspix.com