In Somers, Wisconsin, Dave Giordano's discovery of a rusty patched bumblebee nest is significant due to the species' drastic decline, prompting conservationists to enlist detection dogs for nest locating. Since being federally listed in 2017 as endangered, only a dozen nests have been documented. Conservation biologist Jay Watson emphasizes the need for better understanding of habitats beyond just planting flowers. Nesting habitat is crucial for the survival of bumblebee colonies, and researchers are exploring innovative methods to find these nests effectively.
"The discovery was so rare it made the local news. Once widespread across the midwest and eastern US, the rusty patched bumblebee has seen its population plunge by nearly 90%, prompting its listing in 2017 as the first federally endangered bumblebee in the US."
"Most bee conservation work has been focused on planting flowers, but nesting habitat is just as important, adds Amy Toth, an entomologist at Iowa State University. If they don't find a good location to nest, the entire colony can fail."
#bumblebee-conservation #rusty-patched-bumblebee #endangered-species #habitat-preservation #conservation-detection-dogs
Collection
[
|
...
]