The honey bee isn’t the only pollinator that’s endangered. Native bees and other insects instrumental in the production of many crops are declining in numbers.
The pollinators and the alarming situation will be the topic of the Friends of the Black River’s February meeting. The meeting will be held Feb. 8 in the Jackson County Bank’s community room beginning at 6:30 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend the free program.
Dr. Paula Kleintjes Neff, the entomologist and conservation biologist in the Biology Department at UW-Eau Claire, will present a program about the importance of native pollinators and causes for their decline. The program will include a tutorial for recognizing native pollinator species and groups along with methods for attracting and conserving them. Dr. Kleintjes Neff will also have examples of insect pollinators for viewing.
One of the native pollinators receiving national attention recently is the rusty patch bumble bee; it has become the first bumble bee to be listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The agency estimates the insect’s numbers have declined as much as 87 percent.
The bumble bee and other native pollinators are needed to pollinate such crops as tomatoes, cranberries and peppers. If pollinator numbers are too low, many plants will not produce fruits unless they are pollinated by hand.
Among the suspected causes for the decline in bees and other pollinators is loss of habitat, disease, parasites and pesticide use.
Holding a Ph.D. from the University of California-Berkeley, Dr. Kleintjes Neff has taught at UW-EC for over 20 years and conducts research with undergraduates in insect ecology, habitat conservation and restoration. Her research has ranged from working with the USDA National Resource Conservation Service on the Karner Blue butterfly in Wisconsin to insect conservation efforts with the National Park Service in the mountain west. She currently serves on the board of the West Wisconsin Land Trust.
Kleintjes Neff’s presentation is part of FBR’s ongoing mission to bring educational programs about environmental issues, conservation and enjoyment of the natural world to the community.
For more information about FBR, e-mail to info_fbr@yahoo.com.