Xerces.org: Groups ask U.S. to regulate shipping of commercial bumblebees


Photo credit: lilacwolfandstuff.blogspot.com


In the Eastern United States, conservation groups say four species of native bumblebees are close to extinction and called on the federal government Tuesday to begin regulating the shipping of bees raised commercially as crop pollinators. Researchers believe the precipitous declines in the species are being caused by diseases linked to the cultivation of a species of native bumblebee sold to farmers. The bees are used to increase fruit yield in a number of crops, including hothouse tomatoes and field-grown raspberries and blueberries.

     
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    Posted by WILDNEWJERSEY at 1/27/2010 7:00 AM
    Categories: Invertebrates
    Tags: increase fruit yield regulation shipping bumblebees pollinator
     

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