US biologists find 6 new Mojave poppy bee groups, easing extinction concerns
Biologists discovered six new population groups of the Mojave poppy bee, leading the US Fish and Wildlife Service to determine the species does not require Endangered Species Act protection. The findings suggest the bee is more widely distributed than previously thought.
Why it matters
This discovery highlights how updated field research can prevent unnecessary regulatory burdens while ensuring conservation efforts are based on accurate data.
US biologists searching the Mojave Desert have discovered six previously unknown population groups of the Mojave poppy bee, giving scientists a broader picture of the tiny insect's distribution and helping the US Fish and Wildlife Service conclude that the species does not currently require protection under the Endangered Species Act, the agency said in an October 2, 2026 report.The discovery followed surveys conducted in 2023 and 2024 by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the US Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service and other partners. The newly gathered evidence, combined with existing scientific and commercial information, helped officials assess threats to the bee and determine that it does not meet the federal definitions of threatened or endangered.A bee built around a few desert flowersThe Mojave poppy bee (Perdita meconis) is a small, solitary, ground-nesting bee found in the eastern Mojave Desert.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in