A number of bee species that are on the decline have been found in Laurier Woods.
The North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority says Wildlife Preservation Canada’s (WPC) bee research team recently conducted their spring survey to locate rare and declining bumble bees throughout Ontario.
“We found Common Eastern Bumble bees, Confusing Bumble bee, Orange Belted Bumble bee, two-spotted Bumble bees and the Yellow Banded Bumble bee”, said Stacey Kinder, WPC’s Regional Field Biologist. “It was very exciting to find the Yellow Banded Bumble Bee, as this was the bee we were looking for as it is of special concern in Ontario and we also saw a Gypsy Cuckoo Bumble bee which is also on the Species at Risk list in Ontario.”
Troy Storms, Manager Lands and Stewardship, says it’s good news for the local population of pollinators.
“Overall, WPC told us they had a very successful day and may return to Laurier Woods Conservation Area to search for more bees in the future,” he says.
Officials say during the early spring surveys, WPC field crews collect yellow-banded bumble bee and brown-belted bumble bee queens for use in their conservation breeding program.
For more information visit: https://wildlifepreservation.ca/
