20% fewer butterflies in US (1 Viewer)

[Sun Wukong]

I can’t say I’ve noticed about butterflies but they are definitely a lot less fireflies than there used to be

and it feels like a lot more than 20% less

I think mosquito spraying kills them.

I went camping deep in the woods a few years ago in March and saw thousands of them. The most I'd ever seen. It was incredible. They're still around, just not around civilization. Which is smart.

 

[Madmarsha]

They're still around, just not around civilization. Which is smart.

I never wanted to be a butterfly more.

 

[Optimus Prime]

Do you enjoy your morning cup of joe? Maybe you have some almond milk in your fridge, or like adding a little extra nutmeg to your eggnog? Or, do you (like everyone else) rely on fruits and vegetables to maintain a healthy diet?

If so, beware: All of those foods — and more — are in danger, because honeybees are suddenly dying by the millions.

Entomologists from Washington State University say U.S. commercial beekeepers could see honeybee losses of 60 to 70 percent this year. This comes after a survey by the Apiary Inspectors of America revealed that beekeepers lost 55 percent of their colonies last year, the highest death rate recorded since they started keeping track in 2011.

“It impacts everyone’s food security,” entomologist Dr. Juliana Rangel from Texas A&M University told The Independent. “Fruits and vegetables are pollinated by bees, and we love our fruits and vegetables. We love our coffee, which is pollinated by bees. We may often take this for granted.”

“This should be a major concern for all of us,” she added.

The problem is, no one is exactly sure why this is happening………

Millions of honeybees are dying — and no one is sure why

Scientists likely won’t have answers anytime soon – in part thanks to the Trump administration’s heavy cuts to USDA funding and staff

www.independent.co.uk