Endangered Species - Ask Extension
Are Bumble bees endangered, if they are how can I protect them, Are small blue butterflies endangered, if so how can protect them, is the decurrent fa...
Knowledgebase
Endangered Species #880872
Asked August 09, 2024, 4:00 PM EDT
Are Bumble bees endangered, if they are how can I protect them, Are small blue butterflies endangered, if so how can protect them, is the decurrent false aster plant endangered if so how can i prove it, if i seen the Poweshiek skipperling butterfly, how can I prove it, it is very hard to capture on camera, my township wants me to destroy the habitat of these creatures and plants, can they force me?
Saginaw County Michigan
Expert Response
The only federally endangered bumble bee species is the Rusty Patched Bumble bee, which has not been seen in Michigan since the 1990s. Michigan also lists a 2nd bee species, Bombus pensylvanicus, as endangered but it is not on the federally endangered list.
I don;t see false aster on the list of endangered species.
See here for a list of endangered insects and plants in MI: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/managing-resources/wildlife/wildlife-permits/threatened-endangered-species/threatened-and-endangered-species-list
The only way to protect these species is through habitat conservation with the correct flowering host plants. When you say destroy habitat, is this is on the scale of a single yard, there can sometimes be conflict with zoning ordinances regarding height of plants. If that's the case, I don't have a solution to that beyond trying to educate code enforcement about the rationale for habitat plantings and trying to find a compromise that maintains habitat with degrading safety.
I don;t see false aster on the list of endangered species.
See here for a list of endangered insects and plants in MI: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/managing-resources/wildlife/wildlife-permits/threatened-endangered-species/threatened-and-endangered-species-list
The only way to protect these species is through habitat conservation with the correct flowering host plants. When you say destroy habitat, is this is on the scale of a single yard, there can sometimes be conflict with zoning ordinances regarding height of plants. If that's the case, I don't have a solution to that beyond trying to educate code enforcement about the rationale for habitat plantings and trying to find a compromise that maintains habitat with degrading safety.
David,
Thank you for responding, I have the decurrent false aster plant which is not supposed to be in Michigan on my property, it has Decurrent leaves, the petals turn slight purple and sometimes slight pink, very difficult to capture with a camera phone, but when I put the flower up to a bright white paper it can be seen, I have Monarchs and their off spring and to my understanding they are threatened species and I hear that this December they are going on the endangered species list, when it comes to Bumble Bees I read Bumble Bees are threatened and maybe endangered, I read the American Bumble bee is endangered, is this not true, I also have seen what I believe is the Michigan Monkey Plant in Spaulding township but it is hard to identify since no one knows what it is and keeps cutting it down, what I seen was a yellow flower where there were these red dots or lines on one of the petals, back to my property, i have small butterflies ranging from orange to blue, I read on the federal data base several years ago that all small butterflies are endangered, is this not true?
I am just looking for clarification so I know how to control my property.
Thank You
Patrick
On Monday, August 12, 2024 at 10:48:54 AM EDT, Ask Extension wrote:
As to the flower, I'd need to see a picture and share with one of my colleagues who is a plant expert to confirm the species.
Michigan has 20 species of bumble bees. Several species are doing quite well, while others are struggling. This is a great resource to learn more about MI bumble bees: https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/resources/michigan-bumble-bees
It's not clear what you mean by controlling your property. If you have many butterflies and bees, that is great. Only a small number of species are actually on the endangered list. Continuing to keep the existing flowers, cutting back dead material in the springtime, and preserving some undisturbed areas will help pollinators and butterflies.
Michigan has 20 species of bumble bees. Several species are doing quite well, while others are struggling. This is a great resource to learn more about MI bumble bees: https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/resources/michigan-bumble-bees
It's not clear what you mean by controlling your property. If you have many butterflies and bees, that is great. Only a small number of species are actually on the endangered list. Continuing to keep the existing flowers, cutting back dead material in the springtime, and preserving some undisturbed areas will help pollinators and butterflies.
