FSW Proposes Endangered Species Act Protections for Bumble Bee Species

bees

The federal Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to list rusty patch bumble bees under the Endangered Species Act because of declining populations. Agri-Pulse reports the proposed rule was scheduled to be published in the Federal Register Thursday. Petitions to the Fish and Wildlife Service say the bumble bee “is not only an important pollinator of prairie wildflowers but also of cranberries, blueberries, apples, alfalfa and numerous other crops.” The Fish and Wildlife Service says the number of rust patch bumble bee populations has declined by 91 percent. The proposal lists stressors to bumble bees as pathogens, pesticides, habitat loss and climate change. The Service points specifically to neonicotinoids use in agriculture that correlates with the decline in populations. The proposal starts a 60-day comment period and a final decision is expected in September of next year.