At a glance
- IUCN category
- CR · Critically Endangered
- Animal group
- Invertebrates
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
Franklin's bumble bee had one of the smallest ranges of any bumblebee and has not been reliably seen in years. It is assessed as Critically Endangered (and feared possibly extinct).
It was a distinctive black-and-yellow bumblebee of the US West Coast.
Range & habitat
A very small area of southern Oregon and northern California, USA.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Disease spread from managed bees
- Pesticides
- Habitat loss
Why it matters
Possibly already lost, Franklin's bumble bee is a stark warning about pollinator declines and the speed with which an insect can vanish.
Has not been seen since 2006 and may be extinct.
Sources
Sources for Franklin's Bumble Bee
- IUCN Red List — look up Franklin's Bumble Bee (authoritative status)
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Franklin's bumble bee gone extinct?
It has not been reliably recorded for many years and is feared possibly extinct, though it is still formally listed; surveys continue in the hope of rediscovery.
Why did Franklin's bumble bee decline?
Published assessments point to disease spread from managed bees, pesticides, and habitat loss, compounded by its naturally tiny range. See the IUCN Red List.
Last updated: