First U.S. Bumblebee Placed on Endangered Species List

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This week, the U.S. Department of the Interior listed the Bombus Affinis, also known as the rusty-patched bumblebee, on the endangered species list.  It's the first time ever that a bumblebee from the United States has made the list.

The rusty-patched bumblebee used to be one of the most common bumblebees in the country.  Now, due in part to pathogens, its population has dropped more than 90 percent in the past two decades. The species is unusual in that it has a rusty, red patch across its back, hence the name rusty-patched.

Sam Droege is head of the Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab and the United States Geological Survey, and has spent years documenting and photographing bees.  His detailed and stunningly up close bee images are on line and have been reproduced in a book that he co-authored,  "Bees:  An Up-Close Look at Pollinators Around the World."

Click on the 'Listen' button above to hear the full analysis from Sam Droege.