----- 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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