Researchers find "alarming" decline in bumblebees

[marmar]

(Reuters) - Four previously abundant species of bumblebee are close to disappearing in the United States, researchers reported Monday in a study confirming that the agriculturally important bees are being affected worldwide.

They documented a 96 percent decline in the numbers of the four species, and said their range had shrunk by as much as 87 percent. As with honeybees, a pathogen is partly involved, but the researchers also found evidence of inbreeding caused by habitat loss.

"We provide incontrovertible evidence that multiple Bombus species have experienced sharp population declines at the national level," the researchers reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, calling the findings "alarming."

"These are one of the most important pollinators of native plants," Sydney Cameron of the University of Illinois, Urbana, who led the study, said in a telephone interview.

In recent years, experts have documented a disappearance of bees in what is widely called colony collapse disorder, blamed on many factors including parasites, fungi, stress, pesticides and viruses. But most studies have focused on honeybees. .........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE7023P720110103

[Sonoman]

1. Wow. I haven't seen one in years.

I had not even thought about it.

They used to be everywhere, around here.

KnR

Sonoman

[mitchtv]

7. I had them as recent as 2 years ago

none last year

[elocs]

2. The Straight Story posted about that here yesterday:

http://upload.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x110574

[jberryhill]

3. There aren't many cellists left who can handle the arpeggios /nt

[bluerum]

4. Maybe the red wing blackbirds and the fish ate them.

[Kip Humphrey]

5. Naw, you got that wrong... The Blackbirds eat the fish who eat the bees who eat the fleas

who carry the germs that killed the birds.

Dr Suess.

[glinda]

6. Thank Monsanto and Corporate Climate Change for that.

[lonestarnot]

8. Haven't seen a one around these parts for several years now. At least 6 years, maybe eight, and

used to see many. :( Even used to be chased by a few.

[tabatha]

9. This is why it is important to have protected wildlife areas.

In National Parks I have seen lots of native blooms covered with all sorts of insects including native bees, honeybees and bumblebees.

And it is important to have preserves with no roads - because car fumes are also harmful.

[WingDinger]

10. They paved paradise, and put up a farcking lot.