Bees Are Now An Endangered Species

The government has placed bees on the endangered species list. Cenk Uygur and Ana Kasparian, hosts of The Young Turks, break it down. Tell us what you think in the comment section below.

“The bees are dying.

For the first time in the United States, bees have been placed on the endangered-species list. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Friday determined that seven species of yellow-faced bees, all native to Hawaii, should be protected under the Endangered Species Act.

All seven species belong to the Hylaeus genus of bees. Together, the wasp-looking bees are more commonly known as "yellow-faced" or "masked" for their yellow-to-white facial markings.

These species are responsible for pollinating some of Hawaii's indigenous plant species, many of which are threatened themselves.

Karl Magnacca, a Hawaii-based entomologist, told the Associated Press that efforts to have the bees federally protected took nearly a decade.

"It's good to see it finally come to fruition," he told the AP, adding that yell0w-faced bees tend to favor the more dominant trees and shrubs in Hawaii, which helps "maintain the structure of the whole forest."

Read more here

Hosts: Cenk Uygur, Ana Kasparian

Cast: Cenk Uygur, Ana Kasparian

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Young Turk (n), 1. Young progressive or insurgent member of an institution, movement, or political party. 2. Young person who rebels against authority or societal expectations. (American Heritage Dictionary)

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