Wild bee biologists are uncovering new bee species across the Pacific Northwest, revealing the lack of knowledge about native pollinators. Rowan Rampton, a graduate student in biology, stumbled upon a mysterious bee in an alpine meadow in Castlegar, British Columbia. With expert mentor Lincoln Best’s help, he identified it as Hoplitis emarginata, a rare bee not usually found in that region. The discovery of new bee species is common, but crucial for understanding and protecting wild bees as they face habitat loss, climate change, and disease. These tiny pollinators are essential for ecosystems and food production, highlighting the urgency of bee conservation efforts.
https://hakaimagazine.com/features/here-a-bee-there-a-bee-everywhere-a-wild-bee/