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Bumble bees are important pollinators for our local ecosystem, but recent reports indicate several of their species are dramatically dropping.

Scientists are now asking Canadians to snap some pictures this summer, to help them track the endangered species.

Sheila Colla is one of the scientist who launched “The Great Canadian Bumble Bee Count’.

The project encourages Canadians to snap photos of bumble bees in their area, to help them learn more about the species in the country.

Why the focus on bumble bees? Professor Colla says while honey bees are now common in Canada, they were imported from Europe over 500-years ago. Bumble bees are the only bees native to the country.

The berries and seeds that birds, bears or other small mammals may eat require native bees to pollinate our native plants, which makes them important to Canada’s natural ecosystem.

How do you spot a bumble bee? A bumble bee are very fuzzy, and a bit rounder than a honey bee.

The European honey bee is a bit more orange and will be thinner. Both types of bees are herbivores and get their protein from pollen.

Meanwhile, wasps are typically thinner, and will have very little hair on their bodies. They are omnivores, that eat small insects and ants. Useful for pest control in the ecosystem.

There are over 40 species of bumble bees alone in Canada.

Experts are really hoping this project will help them find the rusty patched bumble bee, a bumble bee that hasn’t been located since 2009.

According to Professor Colla, the species has gone from being very common to endangered, and we need people to help us look for it to make sure it hasn’t gone extinct.

All you have to do is spot a bumble bee, take a picture, note the location and date, and upload it to bumblebeewatch.org.

The bee count runs until August 15th.