Rusty-patched bumble bee on Culver's-root

“On March 21, the rusty-patched bumble bee, Bombus affinis, officially became the first bumble bee listed for protection under the Endangered Species Act. This designation recognizes this important pollinator’s precarious position in the face of multiple threats to its survival. It also provides some of the tools necessary to begin to reverse its decline.

“We must take action now to prevent the extinction of the rusty-patched and other imperiled bumble bees and foster native pollinators to maintain agricultural productivity and healthy ecosystems. While federal regulations will provide some protection for this species, there are steps you can take in your own community to support the survival of these bees.”

Read the full article by Arboretum native plant gardener Susan Carpenter at Scientific American Blogs, March 24, 2017