Is the Colorful Bumblebee About to Disappear in Arkansas?

Is the colorful black and yellow Southern Plains Bumblebee about to go extinct in Arkansas?

Not just yet but it's not looking very positive according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service nine species, including the bumblebee which is also prevalent in 23 other states in the United States are close to being added to the endangered species list.

However, for a species to be added to the list, extensive wildlife experts say the species must go through a review and must be monitored thoroughly for at least up to a year, according to a report from KARK-TV to determine if they will fall under the Endangered Species Act.

Southern Plains bumblebees have already gone extinct in 6 states and can now only be found in 24 states in the U.S. One of the main culprits to the disappearance of the bumblebee is the degrading of their natural habitat and grasslands whether it be by pesticides or conversion for crops, and grazing robbing the nutrients needed for the bee's survival and reproduction.

If Fish and Wildlife deem the species endangered, measures will go into effect to federally protect the species from their habitat, recovery, and restrictions for people selling or transporting the species. See the complete list here.

A petition was filed in 2022 Center for Biological Diversity to get the bee on the endangered species list. The Southern Plains bumblebee has declined by 89 percent in 2023 and continues to head toward extinction which is why it is now being looked at for making the endangered or threatened species list.

By the way, it was determined that the Eastern hellbender, a large salamander found in 15 states including Missouri will not make the endangered list after all. At one point they were considered on the threatened list of extinction but that has changed.

I can't imagine walking outdoors one day and not seeing these beautiful bees buzzing around the backyard.

Would you miss seeing the bumblebee?