American bumblebee facing 'imminent extinction' in Canada, study shows

The American bumblebee is facing imminent extinction in Canada, York University researchers have found.

It is classified as being at the highest level of risk before outright extinction.

The bee – also known as Bombus pensylvanicus – was once common in Southern Ontario.

But it has declined by about 89% in recent years.

Bees generally are declining at a rapid rate across North America.

The animals are crucial pollinators for all kinds of plant life – including crops like apples, tomatoes, blueberries and legumes.

“This species is at risk of extinction and it's currently not protected in any way despite the drastic decline,” said Assistant Professor Sheila Colla, an expert on bees at York University.

“Now that we have assessed the extent of the decline and located where the remaining populations are, we can look more closely at threats and habitat requirements to design an effective conservation management plan so that this species does not disappear from Canada forever.”

She has been studying the bees in Ontario since the mid-2000s.

“This bumblebee species now has a reduced overall range,” explained study lead Victoria MacPhail.

“It used to stretch from Windsor to Toronto, and all the way to Ottawa and into the Quebec area, but it is now only found in some core areas and has experienced a 37% decrease in overall range.”

Colla, though, said there is still hope.

“Immediate action,” she explained, “may save it”.