Lost for a Century: Chestnut Mining Bee Rediscovered in New York

• Rare Chestnut Mining Bee, missing since 1904, makes a surprise comeback in Central New York.
• Pollinator ecologist Molly Jacobson rediscovered two specimens at a SUNY ESF orchard in Syracuse.
• The bee heavily relies on American chestnut pollen; its decline due to a fatal fungus impacted the species.
• A solitary bee, it nests underground, making it difficult to detect during surveys.
• The discovery offers hope for other rare species in isolated areas and highlights the importance of chestnut restoration efforts.