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Forums - Politics Discussion - Bumble bee is proposed for U.S. endangered species status

At first I was a bit surprised, because a bumblebee isn't even a species, but the article makes it clear that it's the rusty patched bumble bee. Unless you're a trained entomologist, I don't think you can easily differentiate all the species of bumblebees. That explains why you may have seen plenty of bumblebees this year, whilst this specific species is actually endangered.

Still, endangered doesn't have to mean on the brink on extinction. It can also mean that the population is slowly declining. It's easier to prevent extinction early on than to wait until there's barely an individual left of the species. They're vital to orchards and several species of crop, so I think it's in everyone's interest to keep the diversity of pollinators up. The same is true for several species of bees. Those have been on a decline too..



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Octane said:
At first I was a bit surprised, because a bumblebee isn't even a species, but the article makes it clear that it's the rusty patched bumble bee. Unless you're a trained entomologist, I don't think you can easily differentiate all the species of bumblebees. That explains why you may have seen plenty of bumblebees this year, whilst this specific species is actually endangered.

Still, endangered doesn't have to mean on the brink on extinction. It can also mean that the population is slowly declining. It's easier to prevent extinction early on than to wait until there's barely an individual left of the species. They're vital to orchards and several species of crop, so I think it's in everyone's interest to keep the diversity of pollinators up. The same is true for several species of bees. Those have been on a decline too..

Very thoughtful post. It's strange how quick the OP was to present anecdotal evidence he thought disconfirmed the premise of the endangered species classificiation without even fully understanding the proposition in question. Very reasoned response. I give it an 'A+,' for responding with information, restraint, a pleasant tone, and for taking your time to give a lot of background to the broader issue. I nominate you for 'Internet Comment Training Chieftan.' I think they should have a middle-school class on making internet comments and responses, and you should draft the curriculum.



Are there that few of them? ; _ ;

Next to butterflys (pretty) these are probably my favorite insects(cute), them and bee's (their usefull).



JRPGfan said:
Are there that few of them? ; _ ;

Next to butterflys (pretty) these are probably my favorite insects(cute), them and bee's (their usefull).

Read the first response and you'll get a better idea of what's happening. 

Also, 'butterflies,' 'bees,' 'they're,' and 'useful.' 

Leaving aside completely matters of punctuation, almost 1/5th (.1818181818...) of the words in your post were misspelled. 



My wife is allergic to bee stings. I propose her to be on the endangered species list.



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Bees are in trouble anyway, around the world, for various reasons and more needs to be done to help them. This is only 1 species of bumblebee but sad none the less.



Hmm, pie.

Octane said:
At first I was a bit surprised, because a bumblebee isn't even a species, but the article makes it clear that it's the rusty patched bumble bee. Unless you're a trained entomologist, I don't think you can easily differentiate all the species of bumblebees. That explains why you may have seen plenty of bumblebees this year, whilst this specific species is actually endangered.

Still, endangered doesn't have to mean on the brink on extinction. It can also mean that the population is slowly declining. It's easier to prevent extinction early on than to wait until there's barely an individual left of the species. They're vital to orchards and several species of crop, so I think it's in everyone's interest to keep the diversity of pollinators up. The same is true for several species of bees. Those have been on a decline too..

Well put.  There are concerns about types of insecticides and agricultural methods such as how genetically modified crops affects bees leading to potential colony collapse.  The reason we should concern ourselves is actually a selfish one, bees are incredibly valuable for the proliferation of many food sources we enjoy.



Nymeria said:
Octane said:
At first I was a bit surprised, because a bumblebee isn't even a species, but the article makes it clear that it's the rusty patched bumble bee. Unless you're a trained entomologist, I don't think you can easily differentiate all the species of bumblebees. That explains why you may have seen plenty of bumblebees this year, whilst this specific species is actually endangered.

Still, endangered doesn't have to mean on the brink on extinction. It can also mean that the population is slowly declining. It's easier to prevent extinction early on than to wait until there's barely an individual left of the species. They're vital to orchards and several species of crop, so I think it's in everyone's interest to keep the diversity of pollinators up. The same is true for several species of bees. Those have been on a decline too..

Well put.  There are concerns about types of insecticides and agricultural methods such as how genetically modified crops affects bees leading to potential colony collapse.  The reason we should concern ourselves is actually a selfish one, bees are incredibly valuable for the proliferation of many food sources we enjoy.

Also I find that Honey, itself is a better form of sugar, for a lot of products. 



 

I love bumble bees! You can touch them lightly on their back and they are fine with it