While there was significant support for this bill in the Senate, there is no explanation for the choice of the brown-belted bumble bee as state native pollinator. There are nearly 500 bees known to occur in Virginia. Seventeen of these bees are in the genus Bombus. Of the latter species the brown-belted bumble is one of the most widely distributed in North America, ranging from the east coast to the Pacific coast states and into Canada. Why were the common eastern bumble bee, yellow-banded bumble bee, or the rusty patched bumble bee not presented or discussed. These are common eastern bumble species. Were any of the other bumble bees or other 400 plus bees considered? Were any other pollinators such as butterflies considered?
The patron commented earlier in the Senate committee that the state pollinator, the western honey bee, is not native to Virginia. Neither is the Chincoteague pony. Shakespeare never wrote about Virginia or set foot on her soil. Yet the General Assembly designated a Shakespeare Festival in Williamsburg among the state emblems and designations. The close ties of the pollinator, pony, and festival to the state's heritage, culture, and economy warrants their inclusion among the Commonwealth's emblems and designations. Such ties between Virginia and the brown banded bumble bee do not exist. In fact, the species is not even unique to East Coast states like the striped bass.
The patron and other supporters referenced buzz pollination, sonication, in the reason for designating the brown-belted bumble bee. Sonication is important for pollination of a number of native plants, blueberries in particular. But it is not unique to the brown-belted bumble bee or bumble bees in general. Solitary bees demonstrate sonication. The emergence and pollination activities of many of the solitary bees are closely tied to the blooming of specific native plants.
Before designating a species as the state's native pollinator, the members of the General Assembly should be more diligent in determining the most acceptable and appropriate native pollinator in the Commonwealth. Look at all native pollinators before making a determination. If a bumble bee, why not Sanderson's Bumble Bee (Bombus sandersoni), Yellow-banded Bumble Bee (Bombus terricola), or Confusing Bumble Bee (Bombus perplexus). These are at least known to only occur east of the Mississippi River.
While there was significant support for this bill in the Senate, there is no explanation for the choice of the brown-belted bumble bee as state native pollinator. There are nearly 500 bees known to occur in Virginia. Seventeen of these bees are in the genus Bombus. Of the latter species the brown-belted bumble is one of the most widely distributed in North America, ranging from the east coast to the Pacific coast states and into Canada. Why were the common eastern bumble bee, yellow-banded bumble bee, or the rusty patched bumble bee not presented or discussed. These are common eastern bumble species. Were any of the other bumble bees or other 400 plus bees considered? Were any other pollinators such as butterflies considered? The patron commented earlier in the Senate committee that the state pollinator, the western honey bee, is not native to Virginia. Neither is the Chincoteague pony. Shakespeare never wrote about Virginia or set foot on her soil. Yet the General Assembly designated a Shakespeare Festival in Williamsburg among the state emblems and designations. The close ties of the pollinator, pony, and festival to the state's heritage, culture, and economy warrants their inclusion among the Commonwealth's emblems and designations. Such ties between Virginia and the brown banded bumble bee do not exist. In fact, the species is not even unique to East Coast states like the striped bass. The patron and other supporters referenced buzz pollination, sonication, in the reason for designating the brown-belted bumble bee. Sonication is important for pollination of a number of native plants, blueberries in particular. But it is not unique to the brown-belted bumble bee or bumble bees in general. Solitary bees demonstrate sonication. The emergence and pollination activities of many of the solitary bees are closely tied to the blooming of specific native plants. Before designating a species as the state's native pollinator, the members of the General Assembly should be more diligent in determining the most acceptable and appropriate native pollinator in the Commonwealth. Look at all native pollinators before making a determination. If a bumble bee, why not Sanderson's Bumble Bee (Bombus sandersoni), Yellow-banded Bumble Bee (Bombus terricola), or Confusing Bumble Bee (Bombus perplexus). These are at least known to only occur east of the Mississippi River.