Bumblebees bumble

Bumblebees bumble

Towards one third extinction

One bee, Two bee, Oh!

 

There are 260 known species of bumblebees globally many of which are important pollinators, particularly in agriculture. A phylogenetic study of ~43% of these species has revealed that approximately one third of the species are declining. The Thoracobombus subgenus which accounts for 64% of species tested is particularly vulnerable, as are species of bumblebee with small geographic ranges. Arbetman et al, 2017.

 

Interested in bumblebees? Check out this sciku on bumblebee cognition: Bumblebee football.

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