"bees"

Pamela Murphy keeps bees for two reasons: It is a hobby and a research experiment that she is conducting in partnership with University of Alaska Fairbanks.

The protected designation for the rusty patched bumble bee is also the first of its kind for a bee species in the continental U.S. It has seen a dramatic decline in numbers and territory.

Ortho is part of the Miracle-Gro family. The company says it decided to phase out neonics from its home and garden products after reviewing possible threats posed to bees and other pollinators.

A U.N.-sponsored report warns that disappearing pollinators, such as bees, could cut production of healthful foods like fruits and nuts. But the degree of damage is mostly a matter of speculation.