Three species of bumblebees, which are considered to be very important pollinators of plants and crops, are now considered endangered species.
The yellow-banded, the western and the rusty-patched bumblebees are listed insects vulnerable to extinction based on the updated International Union of Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Red List of Threatened Species.
Most bumblebees’ nest are disturbed and destroyed all over the world due to high pollution levels, which causes its sudden decline in population.
According to York University researchers, they have also found that disease and inbreeding could also be considered as a reason for the bumblebees diminishing numbers, especially in North America.
Reuters, on the other hand, reported that the decline of their population could also be caused by monoculture farming and the application of pesticides on crops.
Pesticides are used widely by farmers, which could have both lethal and sublethal toxic effects, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS).
Different efforts are currently being done by conservation and restoration groups all over the world. FWS reported that there have been great improvements on the practices of planting cover crops, wildflowers and grazing lands.
