If you’ve never noticed a rusty patch bumblebee in southeast Michigan or northwest Ohio, you probably missed your chance.
That species of bee — which is now on the federal endangered species list — has recently become extinct in Michigan, according to a new survey by a Michigan State University researcher.
The survey of Michigan bumblebees found that of the roughly 12 kinds native to the state, about six have maintained stable populations over the last 20 years. The other six bumblebee varieties have declined by at least 50 percent, with the rusty patch bee vanishing.
Of course, evidence that bees are struggling to survive is not new. For a couple of decades, scientists and bee experts have been working to figure out what is responsible for the decline in bee colonies.
Scientists have blamed the decline of bees in recent years on climate change, loss of habitat, virus-carrying bee mites, and poisoning from common pesticides.
And losing bees is a serious problem for humans. People rely on bees for about one-third of our food because people need bees to pollinate all sorts of crops, from apples to cucumbers to pumpkins.
Bees are necessary for humans to be able to continue to grow food on the planet, so saving them is vital. And it can be everyone’s job — that’s the good news.
If you’re planning your summer garden, think about the bees and add plenty of flowers to attract them. Even if you have only a small urban flowerbed, filling it with flowering plants and shrubs that attract bees can help.
Offering bees easy access to plenty of flowering plants on which they like to feed can be a small contribution toward preserving the species that helps keep us fed.
First Published January 26, 2019, 11:30 a.m.
