Is this endangered species in your backyard?





Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife





*mefishwildlife.com*






Please BEE on the lookout for the rusty patched bumble bee
two photos of rusty patched bumble bees on purple flowers [ [link removed] ]

Bees are among the most important pollinators, pollinating 2/3 of the food we eat, ensuring food security and healthy ecosystems for both humans and wildlife. But some species are becoming rare or even extirpated. With a 90% decline in numbers and range since the 1990s, the rusty patched bumble bee is the first bumble bee protected by the U.S. Endangered Species Act. 

It has not been seen in Maine since 2009, but we are hopeful this important pollinator is still out there and we need more eyes looking! 

You can help us find it by carefully observing the bumble bees you see and learning how to distinguish the rusty patched from similar-looking Maine bumble bee species (it’s not hard!) I*f you think you’ve found one,  snap one or more close-up and in focus photos (or a video to select the best photos) and submit them to* *either **iNaturalist* [ [link removed] ]* or **Bumble Bee Watch* [ [link removed] ]* where a group of experts will confirm the identification.*

Click the link below to learn how to identify a rusty patched bumble bee and more!

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]






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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife ·41 State House Station · Augusta, ME 04333-0041 · (207) 287-8000 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]