Washington Native Bee Society
Washington Native Bee Society
Monthly Meeting
May 22nd, 2025 @ 7:00 PM
Mario Lupino:
Bumble Bee Parasites and Conservation
The Pacific Northwest is home to at least 30 species of native bumble bees, which are crucial pollinators of both wild and cultivated flowering species. However, like many native bee species, bumble bee populations are under threat due to various factors, including pesticides, habitat loss, diseases, and parasites. This presentation will review bumble bee behavior, the connection to their environment, and their parasites. The strategies presented can serve as practical guidance for researchers, conservationists, and policymakers working to protect bumble bee populations.
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​Bumble Bee Parasites and Conservation in the Pacific Northwest
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Mario Luppino
Mario Luppino is a wild bee ecologist and conservationist at Washington State University. Mario recently received his Ph.D. in Entomology from WSU. His work has focused on wild bee parasites of eastern Washington and western Idaho, and he is currently studying wildflower conservation plantings adjacent to apple orchards in the Columbia River Basin of Central Washington.
Register for the May meeting
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