The US Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed to give the rusty-patched bumble bee federal protection as an endangered species.

The rusty-patched bumble bee can be found in the upper Midwest and Northeastern United States. However, the population of this bees is fast declining. In the past two decades, several other wild bee species have also experienced a severe drop in their population.

The rusty-patched bumble bee is also known as Bombus affinis. It is distinguished by a rust-colored patch on its abdomen. Its inclusion on the endangered species list may help save this species from extinction. The US Fish and Wildlife Service claims that the bee population has declined by 91 percent since the late 1990s. In many cases, the data has not been updated since the early 2000s, so the actual damage may be even more drastic.

According to CSMonitor, this bee plays an important role in the pollination process, which is very important for maintaining the ecosystem. Upon approval, the rusty-patched bumble bee would be the first in the continental US to be placed on the list, making it eligible for protection under the provisions of the Endangered Species Act.

Reuters reported that rusty-patched species is one of 47 varieties of native bumble bees found in the United States and Canada. According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, more than 25 percent of these varieties are at risk of extinction.

The public comment period for the plan to place the bees on the endangered species list would run until Nov. 21, 2016.