The population of one species of bumble bee, the Rusty Patched, has fallen 90% making it an endangered species. Its range was predominantly the Midwest and Northeast, where it pollinated wildflowers and about a third of our crops. More than a quarter of bumble bee species are at risk of extinction.
Bumble bee extinction would have a much more direct effect on human populations. Some dismiss species extinctions because they see no connection with our species. The extinction of a pollinator makes that effect much more direct because it influences our food supply. Their success at pollination may not be readily duplicated, which puts our food supply at risk. It is probably more reasonable to find ways to protect them.
(Click on the photo for the link.)
“US Lists A Bumble Bee Species As Endangered For First Time” – Scientific American
Pretending Not To Panic 