Bumblebees Unlock Important Flowers

Bumblebee on flower (photo from Wikimedia) 3 September 2026 Bumblebees are in trouble in North America. Since the beginning of this century the American bumblebee (Bombus pensylvanicus) has declined 90%, the western bumblebee (Bombus occidentalis) has declined 93%, and the rusty patched bumblebee (Bombus affinis) is now listed as Critically Endangered. Their absence has important implications for our food supply. Flowers in the Solanaceae family (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, potatoes and tobacco) are “perfect” in that they contain both male and female parts and could theoretically self pollinate, but the male parts are tightly closed so the pollen cannot come out. These flowers rely on vibration to jiggle the anthers and release the pollen. Honeybees can’t help. Bumblebees know how to do it. Bumblebee on a tomato flower (photo from Wikimedia) Notice how tightly closed the anthers are in these tomato and eggplant flowers. Tomato flowers (photo from Wikimedia) Eggplant flower (photo…