Since 2006 beekeepers have been reporting an increasingly rapid decrease in colony population. This has been due to a number of factors, including weather anomalies, habitat loss and pesticide use.

After years of research, the US Fish and Wildlife Service added the threatened yellow-faced bee species to the federal list of endangered species on Friday night.

Bees pollinate nutrient-filled plants that are vital to the nation’s food industry. Without these busy workers, plants would not be able to make seeds and reproduce.

The Endangered Species Act now protects seven bee species native to Hawaii. The rule is effective Oct. 31.