----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Peter L Borst" <[log in to unmask]>


>What is odd is that only certain species of bumble bee seem to be in 
>decline while others are thriving


I've been watching wild bees now for several years. I don't see any 
bumblebees thriving here in coastal SC. We have only one species left - 
Bombus impatiens - that I can find with any regularity - but it's nowhere 
near the levels it was 15-20 years ago.  I realize that populations 
fluctuate; hopefully they can rebound, but I don't see it happening yet.

I have also collected wild bee samples and photos across eastern USA, and 
cannot say bumblebees are thriving anywhere I've been in the last 4-5 years.

A lot of other wild bees are also much more scarce than they were too - even 
with all the encouragement I can give them locally.

Dave
http://pollinator.com/blog/ 

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