“If you plant it they will come” is a common saying in the native plant landscaping community, and for Illinois Prairie Wild Ones members Sheri Glowinski (Normal), Troy Waldschmidt (Peoria), and Ann Schreifels (East Peoria), it was the federally endangered Rusty Patched Bumblees (Bombus affinis) that made an appearance this year.
Once common throughout the upper eastern United States, the bumblebee was added to the endangered species list in 2017. Habitat loss and fragmentation are listed as the main threats. Pesticides such as neonicotinoids and exotic pathogens are other potential hazards.
So why such a concentration of sightings within our chapter? Most likely because members’ yards are filled with native blooms, and members know to be on the lookout for the characteristic rusty patch.
Finding this distinctive and rare bee is an absolute thrill. If you see one, document it with photos and confirm it through iNaturalist, BeeSpotter, or contact the US Fish and Wildlife service. And of course, post on all your social media accounts (including the chapter Facebook group) and tell everyone you know!
Rusty-patched Bumblebee on Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa). Photo credit: Ann Schreifels
