Emily Chan
These individuals consist of males and new queens. The following year, they will form their own colonies. A colony can contain more than 100 individuals. Having too few colonies puts rusty patched bumblebees at risk.
They become more vulnerable to local extinction caused by fires on the prairies where they live. So, land managers must be more careful when practicing controlled burns to manage prairie growth.
In addition, fewer colonies mean that the removal of just one queen from an area could lead to local extinction, according to the study.
But, the risk might be worth it if the proper protocols are established. That way, captive breeding programs can be created in the future, which would help elevate their numbers and increase genetic diversity.
Among the bumblebees, there were also clear signs of inbreeding. A lack of genetic diversity makes them more susceptible to environmental changes and diseases.
Apparently, 15 percent of males were diploid with two sets of chromosomes, while male bumblebees usually are haploid with one set of chromosomes.
Currently, it is unclear whether the level of inbreeding in the bees is abnormal. The researchers plan to find out by examining museum specimens from before the 1990s and seeing what their inbreeding rates were like.
The researchers hope that the study will inform policy decisions for pollinator conservation. Perhaps we’ll be able to see more rusty patched bumblebees around in the years to follow.
