SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A large black and yellow bumble bee that helps feed the world will get an assessment by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). The Southern Plains bumble bee is one of 10 species that could be added to the endangered species list, the agency recently said.
The FWS describes the bee as having short hair, a short head and typically yellow coloring between the head and thorax, between the wings. The bee is found in South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska and several other states.
FWS material from a 90 day- findings on 10 petitions to add species to the endangered list said “The Southern Plains bumble bee is an important generalist pollen and nectar forager of the Great Plains, midwestern, and the southeastern United States but is now declining at an alarming rate.”
Katie Lamke of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation believes the Southern Plains bumble bee population is declining. Lamke coordinates the Great Plains Bumble Bee Atlas for Xerces. The program is in 20 states. It works with multiple agencies in those states to observe, gather, share and plan possible programs related to bumble bees. Volunteers are trained to observe and identify bees. The evidence-based information can lead to recommendations for bees.