A dozen rare western bumblebees were discovered in western Oregon, around 15 years ago after the type of bee mysteriously dissipated west of the Cascade Mountains.
Biologist Rich Hatfield with the Xerces Society spent six weeks this summer, with funding from the Oregon Zoo, identifying bumblebee species in the Mount Hood National Forest.
During week four he discovered 12 rare western bumblebees, the species that used to be one of the most common pollinators in the west, near the Timberline Lodge. The bees are an inch-long and have white bottoms.
“In the last 15 years there have only been about 15 sightings of this bumblebee west of the Cascades,” Hatfield said in the announcement. “This discovery suggests that this species might have a chance to repopulate its range.”
“One out of every three bites of food that we eat comes from a plant that was pollinated by an animal, and usually those animals are bees,” Hatfield said. “The fact that any bee could disappear is a scary proposition. We’re approaching a tipping point where our food security will be at stake.”
The survey of bee species is the first official list of bumblebees present in the forest, and will help the U.S. Forest Service better protect the area for wildlife, according to the Oregon Zoo.
The survey also provided another first--with a laser-triggered shutter and a flash that fires at 1/50,000th of a second, zoo photographer Michael Durham captured what is believed to be the first high-speed photo of a western bumblebee in flight.
People commenting on the Oregon Zoo’s Facebook and Twitter pages were pleased with the discovery.
“Bees are fascinating and above all vital to Earth’s environment,” said Lorraine Dennis Saiz.
“Way amazing. And how pretty, too!” said Erin Kirkland.
Follow @ETBreakingNews for breaking news from around the world.
Friends Read Free