Sightings decreased from 94 in 1998 to 20 in 1999 to 9 in 2000 to one in 2001. Thorp saw none in 2004 and 2005; one in 2006; and none since. Franklin's bumblebee (Bombus franklini) is known to be one of the most narrowly distributed bumblebee species, making it a critically endangered bee of the western United States. The species is found in Southern Oregon and Northern California. Why your go-to-market strategy should be industry focused A conservationist group has filed a petition that puts Franklins bumblebee into the endangered list. overthelimit.info/scitec... comment. Franklin's bumblebee (Bombus franklini) is known to be one of the most narrowly distributed bumblebee species,[2] making it a critically endangered bee of the western United States. The Franklin's bumblebee is currently " under review " to determine whether an ESA listing is warranted. However, researchers have been aware of the rapid decline of the Franklin's bee population since 1998. It was also abundant in southwest Washington. The late Robbin Thorp, distinguished emeritus professor of entomology at UC Davis and a global authority on bees, worked tirelessly to try to include Franklin’s bumble bee as an endangered species under the U.S. It is known only from a 190-by-70-mile (310 by 110 km) area in southern Oregon and northern California, between the Coast and Sierra-Cascade mountain ranges. Critically endangered Franklin's Bumblebee pollinating a Common Camas wildflower. U.S. Area (s) Where Listed As Endangered: The Franklin's Bumble Bee ( Bombus franklini) is a species of concern belonging in the species group "insects" and found in the following area (s): California, Oregon. If approved, Franklin’s bumble bee would be the first bee in the western United States to be officially recognized under the act. Unfortunately, the bee has not been observed… They live in a very small range between Oregon and California, and actually have the smallest range of any Bumblebee in the world. It was he who sounded the alarm. Where does the Franklin's Bumble Bee live? “Bumblebees are likely to become extinct. The Xerces Society, which monitors bees, says that the primary threats to this species are three-fold: diseases from managed bees, pesticides, and a small population size. “Today’s Endangered Species listing is the best — and probably last — hope for the recovery of the rusty-patched bumblebee,” said Rebecca Riley, an attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council. save hide report. The Franklin's bee was not put on the endangered species list until very recently, in 2010. GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. According to a Xerces Society press release, bumble bees are declining throughout the world. He didn’t see a single one. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. — A conservation group filed a petition Wednesday to add a bumblebee from Southern Oregon and Northern California to the endangered species list. On September 13, 2011, we announced in the Federal Register (76 FR 56381) that the petition presented substantial information indicating that this species may be warranted for listing, and announced the initiation of a status review for the species. [6], The last sighting of this bumblebee species was in Oregon in 2006. The ESA is the strongest law in the world for protecting species on the brink of extinction: over 95% of species listed under the Act are still with us today. best top new controversial old q&a. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed that it be listed as an endangered species. Named in 1921 for Henry J. Franklin, who monographed the bumble bees of North and South America in 1912-13, Franklin’s bumble bee frequents California poppies, lupines, vetch, wild roses, blackberries, clover, sweet peas, horsemint and mountain penny royal during its flight season, from mid-May through September. If its population has indeed reached a critical … The decline for Franklin's Bumblebee has been swift. [5] Females have black hair on their faces and the vertices, with some light hairs mixed above and below their antennal bases, while most similar bumblebee species have yellow. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes Endangered Species Act protection for Franklins bumble bee Posted August 12th, 2019 for Xerces Society FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Estimated population: Unknown. Franklin’s Bumble Bee proposed for endangered…, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Franklin’s Bumble Bee proposed for endangered species list, Homemade mask competition unveiled by Congressman Garamendi. More posts from the Beekeeping community. What’s behind the big increase in porpoises off Northern California? Blog. Furthermore, the population decreased drastically since 1998. Sort by. The Bumblebee Specialist Group is comprised of more than 70 bumble bee scientists from ten world regions, including East Asia, West Asia, Japan, Himalaya, East Russia, West Russia, Europe, South America, North America, and Mesoamerica. Be the first to share what you think! Extensive surveys from 1998-2008 have demonstrated that there has been a precipitous decline in the number of individuals and localities in the past decade. No one has actually seen one of these bees since 2006, when a survey turned up only one worker. 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