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<div align="center"><b>IUCN lists <br>
Franklin’s Bumble Bee (<i>Bombus</i> <i>franklini</i>) as Critically
Endangered<br>
</b></div>
<br>
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed
Franklin’s bumble bee as a Critically Endangered species, based on
surveys by Dr. Robbin Thorp that demonstrated that Franklin’s bumble bee
populations have decreased drastically over the past decade. Dr. Thorp
has visited numerous sites that were once home to Franklin’s bumble bee;
while he found 94 individuals in 1998, he did not find any Franklin’s
bumble bees in 2004, 2005, or 2007, and only saw one individual in 2006.
<br>
<br>
Known only from southern Oregon and northern California between the Coast
and Sierra-Cascade Ranges, Franklin’s bumble bee has the most restricted
range of any bumble bee in the world. Its entire distribution can be
covered by an oval of about 190 miles north to south and 70 miles east to
west.Threats to this species include: 1) Exotic diseases introduced via
trafficking of commercial bumble bee queens and colonies for greenhouse
pollination of tomatoes; 2) Habitat loss due to destruction, degradation,
conversion; and 3) Pesticides and pollution.<br>
<br>
Bumble bees are excellent crop pollinators and act as an insurance policy
for farmers when honey bees are in short supply. In the U.S., the
economic value of the pollination services provided by native insects
(mostly bees) is estimated at $3 billion per year. In some crops, such as
cranberries and blueberries, bumble bees pollinate more effectively than
honey bees. Bumble bees are able to fly in cooler temperatures and lower
light levels than many other bees, which makes them excellent crop
pollinators. They also perform a behavior called “buzz pollination,” in
which the bee grabs the pollen producing structure of the flower in her
jaws and vibrates her wing muscles. This causes vibrations that dislodge
pollen from the flower. This behavior is highly beneficial for the
cross-pollination of tomatoes, peppers, cranberries, and blueberries. In
tomatoes, buzz pollination by bees results in larger and more abundant
fruit. Losses of bumble bees can have far ranging ecological impacts due
to their role as pollinators. In Britain and the Netherlands, where
multiple bumble bee and other bee species have gone extinct, there is
evidence of a decline in the abundance of insect pollinated plants.<br>
<br>
Robbin Thorp (Professor Emeritus at the University of California, Davis),
Peter Kevan (Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Biology, at
the University of Guelph), and Xerces Society staff have collaborated to
promote this species for IUCN consideration. <br>
<br>
For more information on Franklin’s bumble bee and other bumble bees in
decline go to:
<a href="http://www.xerces.org/bumblebees/" eudora="autourl">
http://www.xerces.org/bumblebees/</a>, and for specific information on
Franklin’s bumble bee, please visit:
<a href="http://www.xerces.org/bumblebees/franklini.html" eudora="autourl">
http://www.xerces.org/bumblebees/franklini.html</a> . <br>
<br>
To see the IUCN listing go to:
<a href="http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/135295" eudora="autourl">
http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/135295<br><br>
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*************************<br>
Scott Hoffman Black<br>
Ecologist/Entomologist<br>
Executive Director<br>
The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation<br>
4828 SE Hawthorne <br>
Portland, OR 97215 <br>
Direct line (503) 449-3792<br>
sblack@xerces.org<br><br>
<i>The Xerces Society is an international, nonprofit organization that
protects wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their
habitat. <br>
</i> <br>
To join the Society, make a contribution, or read about our work, <br>
please visit
<a href="http://www.xerces.org/">www.xerces.org</a>.<br><br>
<br>
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