The scream of the butterflies

[yiostheoy]

Bumblebee listed as endangered species for first time

A bumblebee is now on the endangered species list for the first time in a "race against extinction," the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Tuesday.

The agency placed the rusty patched bumblebee on the list because of a dramatic population decline over the past 20 years. Since the late 1990s, the population of the species has plummeted 87%.

Named because of the rust-colored marks on its back, the bee was once common and abundant across 28 states from Connecticut to South Dakota. Today, the bee is only found in small, scattered populations in 13 states.

“Our top priority is to act quickly to prevent extinction of the rusty patched bumblebee," wildlife service Midwest regional director Tom Melius said in a statement. "Listing the bee as endangered will help us mobilize partners and focus resources on finding ways right now to stop the decline."

Bees are responsible for pollinating most of the plants that require insect pollination to produce fruits, seeds and nuts. Like other bees, rusty patched bumblebees pollinate important crops such as tomatoes, cranberries and peppers.

It's not just the rusty patched bumblebee that is struggling in the U.S. Other species have experienced dramatic declines in recent decades. The reduction is believed to be caused by a combination of habitat loss, disease, pesticide use, climate change and an extremely small population size.

The endangered designation is made by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Endangered Species Act for species at risk of becoming extinct throughout all or a portion of their range.

Environmental groups praised the designation, including the group that originally petitioned for the listing in 2013, the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation: "We are very pleased to see one of North America’s most imperiled species receive the protection it needs,” said Sarina Jepsen, director of endangered species for the group.

Environment America’s Christy Leavitt said that “protecting the rusty patched bumblebee and all bees is essential for our ecosystem and our food supply. If bees go extinct, it’s simple: no bees, no food," she added.

“Today’s Endangered Species listing is the best — and probably last — hope for the recovery of the rusty patched bumblebee," said Rebecca Riley, and attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council. "Bumblebees are dying off, vanishing from our farms, gardens, and parks, where they were once found in great numbers."

People can help boost the rusty patched bumblebee population by growing a garden or adding a native flowering tree or shrub to yards and minimizing pesticide use, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said. Leaving some areas of the yard unmowed in summer and unraked in fall can also help since bumblebees need a safe place to build their nests and overwinter. Additionally, try leaving some standing plant stems in gardens and flower beds in winter.

This is the first bee of any type in the continental U.S. to be placed on the list. In September, the Obama administration designated seven species of bees in Hawaii as endangered.

Abundance of the rusty patched bumblebee has plummeted by 87 percent, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said. (Photo: Dan Mullen, USFWS Midwest Region)

 

[yiostheoy]

Endangered Butterflies | Critically Endangered Butterfly Species

Priority Butterflies
The world's most endangered butterflies
Butterfly populations are constantly in danger of disappearing. Habitat loss is one of the leading causes of species decline. Here are some of the world's most endangered butterfly species.

Karner Blue Butterfly (Plebejus samuelis)
Range: U.S.A. - Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, possibly Illinois.
The Karner Blue butterfly was Federally listed as an endangered species in 1992. Karner Blue caterpillars feed only on the leaves of the wild lupine plant. This severely restricts where they can survive. Habitat throughout the range of the Karner blue butterfly has been lost as a result of land development and lack of natural disturbance, such as wildfire and grazing by large mammals. Such disturbance helps maintain the butterfly's habitat by setting back encroaching forests, encouraging lupine and flowering plant growth. The Karner blue butterfly's rarity and beauty make it a desirable addition to butterfly collections. Because butterfly numbers are so low, the collection of even a few individuals could harm the butterfly population.

Management: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Recovery Plan, Wisconsin Habitat Conservation Plan

Mitchell's Satyr Butterfly (Neonympha mitchellii mitchellii)
Range: U.S.A. - Indiana and Michigan
The Mitchell's Satyr butterfly was listed as endangered in 1992. It lives in wetland fens, low nutrient systems that receive carbonate-rich ground water from seeps and springs, which are also critically endangered. Most of this wetland habitat has been drained and filled to make way for urban and agricultural development. Also, invasion from exotic weeds threaten the fens on which the butterflies depend. In addition, contamination of fen wetlands by pesticides, fertilizer, and nutrient runoff from adjacent agriculture, including livestock production, poses a threat to the butterfly's habitat. It is believed that some populations of the Mitchell's satyr were eliminated by butterfly collectors.

More info: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Palos Verdes Blue Butterfly (Glaucopsyche lygdamus palosverdesensis)
Range: U.S.A. - Palos Verdes Peninsula (Los Angeles County), California
The Palos Verdes Blue butterfly was listed as endangered in 1980 and was feared extinct until it was rediscovered in 1994. Caterpillars are only known to feed on one species of locoweed. This butterfly's habitat is under contant threat of development. The population is also threatened by weed control, off-road vehicle use, non-native invasive plants, and fire suppression. Conservation intiatives include control of human use of the habitat, replanting of the host species, and a captive breeding program.

More info: Urban Wildlands Group


Miami Blue Butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri)
Range: Florida Keys
This butterfly is one of the most endangered insects in the world. After Hurricane Andrew in 1992, there were no sightings of this species again until 1999 in Bahia Honda State Park. All known individuals were thought to be gone as of 2010. This leaves only a few scattered individuals in another population in the Marquesas Keys in Key West National Wildlife Refuge.

More info: Center for Biological Diversity, North American Butterfly Association


Macedonian Grayling (Pseudochazara cingovskii)
Range: Europe - Republic of Macedonia
The Macedonian Grayling was listed as critically endangered in 2010. The range of the Macedonian Grayling is extremely limited and only found in Macedonia. It's main threat is from quarrying. Researchers are actively surveying for new populations and studying the extent of quarry activity on the population. Raising public awareness and cooperation with quarry owners will be essential for long term successful conservation.

More info: IUCN Red List


Wolkberg Zulu Butterfly (Alaena margaritacea)
Range: South Africa - Limpopo Province near Wolkberg
The Wolkberg Zulu butterfly is a very elusive species, making surveying for the species difficult. Its population is threatened by habitat destruction from invasive species and human encrouchment. Larvae feed on lichens, which are very sensitive to environmental change.

 

[yiostheoy]

Bees Added To U.S. Endangered Species List For 1st Time

Bees Added To U.S. Endangered Species List For 1st Time

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  A yellow-faced bee in Hawaii. John Kaia/AP hide caption
  
  toggle caption John Kaia/AP
  A yellow-faced bee in Hawaii.
  
  John Kaia/AP
  Finally — some good news for the bees of Hawaii.
  
  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has given endangered status to seven species of yellow-faced bees native to the islands. These are "the first bees in the country to be protected under the Endangered Species Act," according to the Xerces Society, which advocated for the new designation.
  
  
  The Two-Way
  The Mystery Of Why Sunflowers Turn To Follow The Sun — Solved
  The new rule designating protections for the bees, published Friday in the Federal Register, states that yellow-faced bees are known "for their yellow-to-white facial markings." They look like small wasps, according to the rule, except for their "plumose [branched] hairs on the body that are longest on the sides of the thorax, which readily distinguish them from wasps."
  
  The yellow-faced bee is the only bee native to Hawaii, meaning that it was able to reach the Hawaiian Islands on its own, according to a fact sheet provided by the University of Hawaii's Master Gardner Program. "From that one original colonist they evolved into 63 known endemic species, about 10% of the world's yellow-faced bees and more than are found in this genus in all of North America."
  
  But the populations of these seven species are getting smaller and smaller, according to Fish and Wildlife. For example, the Hylaeus anthracinus was once found in dozens of locations around Hawaii but is now in only 15 — while Hylaeus hilaris and Hylaeus kuakea are each found only in one location.
  
  The seven endangered species are impacted by a wide variety of threats, including habitat destruction because of urbanization or nonnative animals, the introduction of nonnative plant species, wildfires, nonnative predators and natural events such as hurricanes, tsunamis and drought.
  
  
  The Two-Way
  Report: More Pollinator Species In Jeopardy, Threatening World Food Supply
  "These bees are often found in small patches of habitat hemmed in by agricultural land or developments," the group said. "Unfortunately, the [Fish and Wildlife Service] has not designated any 'critical habitat' areas of land of particular importance for the endangered bees."
  
  As we've reported, pollinators are under threat around the world. A U.N.-sponsored report released in February found that "about 40 percent of invertebrate pollinator species (such as bees and butterflies) are facing extinction." This could have major implications for world food supply, because "about 75 percent of the world's food crops ... depend at least partly on pollination."
  
  Despite the threats, the University of Hawaii says these bees "have managed to persist with amazing tenacity." While this group of species is now endangered, new species of the genus are discovered regularly — "11 new native species have been found in the past 15 years."
  
  The rule, which goes into effect at the end of the month, also gives the endangered designation to 39 plant species found on the islands and to three other creatures native to Hawaii — the band-rumped storm-petrel Oceanodroma castro, the orangeblack Hawaiian damselfly Megalagrion xanthomelas, and the anchialine pool shrimp Procaris hawaiana.
  

 

[yiostheoy]

These poor little insects help to feed us, but they are dying everywhere.

 

[TheOldSchool]

Bumblebee listed as endangered species for first time

A bumblebee is now on the endangered species list for the first time in a "race against extinction," the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Tuesday.

The agency placed the rusty patched bumblebee on the list because of a dramatic population decline over the past 20 years. Since the late 1990s, the population of the species has plummeted 87%.

Named because of the rust-colored marks on its back, the bee was once common and abundant across 28 states from Connecticut to South Dakota. Today, the bee is only found in small, scattered populations in 13 states.

“Our top priority is to act quickly to prevent extinction of the rusty patched bumblebee," wildlife service Midwest regional director Tom Melius said in a statement. "Listing the bee as endangered will help us mobilize partners and focus resources on finding ways right now to stop the decline."

Bees are responsible for pollinating most of the plants that require insect pollination to produce fruits, seeds and nuts. Like other bees, rusty patched bumblebees pollinate important crops such as tomatoes, cranberries and peppers.

It's not just the rusty patched bumblebee that is struggling in the U.S. Other species have experienced dramatic declines in recent decades. The reduction is believed to be caused by a combination of habitat loss, disease, pesticide use, climate change and an extremely small population size.

The endangered designation is made by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Endangered Species Act for species at risk of becoming extinct throughout all or a portion of their range.

Environmental groups praised the designation, including the group that originally petitioned for the listing in 2013, the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation: "We are very pleased to see one of North America’s most imperiled species receive the protection it needs,” said Sarina Jepsen, director of endangered species for the group.

Environment America’s Christy Leavitt said that “protecting the rusty patched bumblebee and all bees is essential for our ecosystem and our food supply. If bees go extinct, it’s simple: no bees, no food," she added.

“Today’s Endangered Species listing is the best — and probably last — hope for the recovery of the rusty patched bumblebee," said Rebecca Riley, and attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council. "Bumblebees are dying off, vanishing from our farms, gardens, and parks, where they were once found in great numbers."

People can help boost the rusty patched bumblebee population by growing a garden or adding a native flowering tree or shrub to yards and minimizing pesticide use, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said. Leaving some areas of the yard unmowed in summer and unraked in fall can also help since bumblebees need a safe place to build their nests and overwinter. Additionally, try leaving some standing plant stems in gardens and flower beds in winter.

This is the first bee of any type in the continental U.S. to be placed on the list. In September, the Obama administration designated seven species of bees in Hawaii as endangered.

Abundance of the rusty patched bumblebee has plummeted by 87 percent, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said. (Photo: Dan Mullen, USFWS Midwest Region)

Bad administration to get that label under. Let's hope they survive until 2020.

 

[playtime]

thank you monsanto et al - you miserable bunch of bastards.

 

[Gracie]

Perfect thread title.

 

[yiostheoy]

Perfect thread title.

Jim Morrison, a US Navy admiral's son, was a visionary environmentalist before there were environmentalists back in 1971.

 

[Old Rocks]

I can remember when I was a boy living on the headwaters of the John Day River, that if you had a light outside, you saw at least one of the noctilionidea moths. These are beautiful creatures with furry antennas. I have not seen one there, in many camping visits, in over two decades. There are so many creatures like that we are destroying without even realizing it, and without any understanding of their place in an ecology that includes us.

 

[Old Rocks]

Bumblebee listed as endangered species for first time

A bumblebee is now on the endangered species list for the first time in a "race against extinction," the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Tuesday.

The agency placed the rusty patched bumblebee on the list because of a dramatic population decline over the past 20 years. Since the late 1990s, the population of the species has plummeted 87%.

Named because of the rust-colored marks on its back, the bee was once common and abundant across 28 states from Connecticut to South Dakota. Today, the bee is only found in small, scattered populations in 13 states.

“Our top priority is to act quickly to prevent extinction of the rusty patched bumblebee," wildlife service Midwest regional director Tom Melius said in a statement. "Listing the bee as endangered will help us mobilize partners and focus resources on finding ways right now to stop the decline."

Bees are responsible for pollinating most of the plants that require insect pollination to produce fruits, seeds and nuts. Like other bees, rusty patched bumblebees pollinate important crops such as tomatoes, cranberries and peppers.

It's not just the rusty patched bumblebee that is struggling in the U.S. Other species have experienced dramatic declines in recent decades. The reduction is believed to be caused by a combination of habitat loss, disease, pesticide use, climate change and an extremely small population size.

The endangered designation is made by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Endangered Species Act for species at risk of becoming extinct throughout all or a portion of their range.

Environmental groups praised the designation, including the group that originally petitioned for the listing in 2013, the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation: "We are very pleased to see one of North America’s most imperiled species receive the protection it needs,” said Sarina Jepsen, director of endangered species for the group.

Environment America’s Christy Leavitt said that “protecting the rusty patched bumblebee and all bees is essential for our ecosystem and our food supply. If bees go extinct, it’s simple: no bees, no food," she added.

“Today’s Endangered Species listing is the best — and probably last — hope for the recovery of the rusty patched bumblebee," said Rebecca Riley, and attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council. "Bumblebees are dying off, vanishing from our farms, gardens, and parks, where they were once found in great numbers."

People can help boost the rusty patched bumblebee population by growing a garden or adding a native flowering tree or shrub to yards and minimizing pesticide use, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said. Leaving some areas of the yard unmowed in summer and unraked in fall can also help since bumblebees need a safe place to build their nests and overwinter. Additionally, try leaving some standing plant stems in gardens and flower beds in winter.

This is the first bee of any type in the continental U.S. to be placed on the list. In September, the Obama administration designated seven species of bees in Hawaii as endangered.

Abundance of the rusty patched bumblebee has plummeted by 87 percent, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said. (Photo: Dan Mullen, USFWS Midwest Region)

Thank you for this thread. We must pay attention to the little creatures, for we depend on many of them. We are part of the same life as they, and our world becomes poorer for their loss.

 

[Asclepias]

Damn shame. Where I live I rarely see Monarchs or bees anymore. This has been about five years now.

 

[yiostheoy]

I can remember when I was a boy living on the headwaters of the John Day River, that if you had a light outside, you saw at least one of the noctilionidea moths. These are beautiful creatures with furry antennas. I have not seen one there, in many camping visits, in over two decades. There are so many creatures like that we are destroying without even realizing it, and without any understanding of their place in an ecology that includes us.

These extinctions or near extinctions are probably due to our new powerful insecticides and arachnidcides and arthropodcides.

For example, there is a flea and tick killer I get for my cat at the pet shop which kills all the fleas within 24 hours. They drop off like dead flies paralyzed by a powerful neurotoxin.

This is what fruit growers are also using on their trees. But doing so is pure stupidity because it also kills the bees, and without bees the fruit never gets pollinated.

 

[koshergrl]

Fucking shut down the forest service. If they refuse to leave public lands, arrest them and throw them in jail. If they draw arms, shoot them dead.

 

[koshergrl]

Environuts lie about the environment in order to prevent the public from accessing/using resources.

It's a ploy, people. USFWS consists of liars and shysters..and most of them are mentally ill.

 

[yiostheoy]

Environuts lie about the environment in order to prevent the public from accessing/using resources.

It's a ploy, people. USFWS consists of liars and shysters..and most of them are mentally ill.

Off topic.

 

[yiostheoy]

Environuts lie about the environment in order to prevent the public from accessing/using resources.

It's a ploy, people. USFWS consists of liars and shysters..and most of them are mentally ill.

Also off topic.

 

[koshergrl]

Environuts lie about the environment in order to prevent the public from accessing/using resources.

It's a ploy, people. USFWS consists of liars and shysters..and most of them are mentally ill.

Off topic.

No it isn't. It's the USFWS who is *declaring* bugs *endangered*. The REASON is so they can stop all access to PUBLIC LANDS.

 

[koshergrl]

Environuts lie about the environment in order to prevent the public from accessing/using resources.

It's a ploy, people. USFWS consists of liars and shysters..and most of them are mentally ill.

Also off topic.

Just because you don't like it doesn't make it off topic.

We are discussing sanctions placed against the public in re: accessing public lands. They use these ridiculous "endangered" lists to justify closures of public lands.

Get a clue.

 

[yiostheoy]

Environuts lie about the environment in order to prevent the public from accessing/using resources.

It's a ploy, people. USFWS consists of liars and shysters..and most of them are mentally ill.

Also off topic.

Just because you don't like it doesn't make it off topic.

We are discussing sanctions placed against the public in re: accessing public lands. They use these ridiculous "endangered" lists to justify closures of public lands.

Get a clue.

You're off topic, spam girlie.

 

[yiostheoy]

Environuts lie about the environment in order to prevent the public from accessing/using resources.

It's a ploy, people. USFWS consists of liars and shysters..and most of them are mentally ill.

Off topic.

No it isn't. It's the USFWS who is *declaring* bugs *endangered*. The REASON is so they can stop all access to PUBLIC LANDS.

Not in any national forests that I know of.