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WILSONVILLE, Ore. — Tens of thousands of bees, ladybugs and other insects were found dead this week in an Oregon parking lot in what is thought to be one of the largest documented bumblebee deaths in Western U.S. history.
At least 25,000 bumblebees were found dead underneath blooming European linden trees at a Target in Wilsonville, Ore., on Monday.
Rich Hatfield, a conservation biologist with the Portland-based Xerces Society of Invertebrate Conservation said shoppers had called him to report the bees.
"There were literally falling out of the trees," he said. "To our knowledge, this is one of the largest documented bumblebee deaths in the Western U.S. It was heartbreaking to watch."
The Xerces Society contacted the Oregon Department of Agriculture, which sent for samples of the bees and foliage from the trees. The cause of the deaths is unknown, but could be acute pesticide poisoning or a poisonous species of European linden tree. The department is conducting testing to determine if a pesticide was used.
The 25,000 bees are estimated to represent a loss of 150 colonies. Ladybugs, honey bees and other insects were also found under the trees.
