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May 13, 2009
Michigan Bumblebees
I have been working on a new set of web pages at the UMMZ that will contain images, maps, and biological information on the bumblebees of Michigan. There are several species of Bombus are appear to be declining across their range, and there are researchers at other institutions trying to find out if the decline is real, and if so, what factors may be causing it. The Xerces Society is also promoting research on bumblebee decline.
Bumblebees are the only NATIVE social bees in North America. The honeybee, Apis mellifera, was brought here from Europe. If you travel to a northern or montane area where feral honeybees do not exist, you will immediately notice how prolific the bumblebees are.
My goal is to get the web pages finished in a week or so, and I hope that they will be helpful to people in Michigan and the Great Lakes region.
Posted by mfobrien at May 13, 2009 09:34 AM