At a glance
- IUCN category
- CR · Critically Endangered
- Animal group
- Invertebrates
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The rusty-patched bumble bee is a North American bumblebee named for the rusty mark on the workers' abdomen. It is assessed as Critically Endangered.
Once widespread, it has vanished from most of its former range in just a few decades.
Range & habitat
Eastern and midwestern North America, in a much-reduced range.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Disease spread from managed bees
- Pesticides
- Habitat loss
Why it matters
A once-common pollinator now nearly gone, the rusty-patched bumble bee is a warning sign for insect declines and the pollination services wild bees provide.
Sources
Sources for Rusty Patched Bumble Bee
- IUCN Red List — look up Rusty Patched Bumble Bee (authoritative status)
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are bumblebees important?
Bumblebees are major pollinators of wild plants and crops; some plants are pollinated especially effectively by their 'buzz pollination'. Losing them affects ecosystems and agriculture.
Why is the rusty-patched bumble bee Critically Endangered?
Published assessments cite disease spread from managed bees, pesticide use, and habitat loss, which have erased it from most of its former range. See the IUCN Red List.
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