California Bumble Bee Atlas
Mar 3, 2022 at 9:50am
Bumble bees are charismatic and easily recognizable pollinators thanks to their large size and distinctive striped patterns, usually of black and yellow, but often with stripes of red, orange, or white. They play an important role in keeping our environment healthy by pollinating flowers in natural areas and by contributing to successful harvests on farms.
Recent declines of pollinator populations have drawn attention to their vulnerability as well as their importance. A recent study led by the IUCN Bumble Bee Specialist Group indicated that as much as a quarter of North America's 50 species of bumble bees are at risk. In California, Franklin’s bumble bee (Bombus franklini) may already be on the brink of extinction.
Recent declines of pollinator populations have drawn attention to their vulnerability as well as their importance. A recent study led by the IUCN Bumble Bee Specialist Group indicated that as much as a quarter of North America's 50 species of bumble bees are at risk. In California, Franklin’s bumble bee (Bombus franklini) may already be on the brink of extinction.
The causes of these declines are not fully understood, but the following likely play a role: loss or fragmentation of habitat, pesticide exposure, climate change, overgrazing, competition with honey bees, low genetic diversity, and perhaps most significant of all, the introduction and distribution of pathogens through commercial honey bee and bumble bee colonies used for crop pollination. All of these factors likely interact, increasing pollinator vulnerability. To support bumble bees, it is critical to protect existing habitat while creating and maintaining new habitat.
In addition to habitat, we need a better understanding of where these animals are living in order to conserve them, and to protect habitat in the best places. California is home to at least 25 species of bumble bees, and several of them face an uncertain future. The western bumble bee (B. occidentalis) has declined dramatically--especially in the Pacific-coastal portion of its range--and species like Morrison’s bumble bee (B. morrisoni) and the Suckley cuckoo bumble bee (B. suckleyi) appear to be in decline. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Xerces Society have partnered to help complete that story and to better understand the status of our native bumble bees. Additionally, we are partnering with the Bureau of Land Management, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Department of Agriculture, and Oregon State University as part of a larger mission to inventory bumble bees native to a larger area of the western United States. The missing partner is you - become a community scientist and join us!
Because California is so large and many bumble bee habitats are not easily accessed, professional scientists can only accomplish so much. To make this project a success, we are working to recruit and train a large crew of volunteers equipped with nets, cameras, and observation vials. Together, we'll collect high quality scientific data from across the full range of bumble bee habitats found in California, and contribute to the global understanding of bumble bee distributions.
REQUIREMENTS OF THE PROJECT
Our ask is pretty simple:
What you will need to participate:
What is helpful to participate:
In addition to habitat, we need a better understanding of where these animals are living in order to conserve them, and to protect habitat in the best places. California is home to at least 25 species of bumble bees, and several of them face an uncertain future. The western bumble bee (B. occidentalis) has declined dramatically--especially in the Pacific-coastal portion of its range--and species like Morrison’s bumble bee (B. morrisoni) and the Suckley cuckoo bumble bee (B. suckleyi) appear to be in decline. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Xerces Society have partnered to help complete that story and to better understand the status of our native bumble bees. Additionally, we are partnering with the Bureau of Land Management, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Department of Agriculture, and Oregon State University as part of a larger mission to inventory bumble bees native to a larger area of the western United States. The missing partner is you - become a community scientist and join us!
Because California is so large and many bumble bee habitats are not easily accessed, professional scientists can only accomplish so much. To make this project a success, we are working to recruit and train a large crew of volunteers equipped with nets, cameras, and observation vials. Together, we'll collect high quality scientific data from across the full range of bumble bee habitats found in California, and contribute to the global understanding of bumble bee distributions.
REQUIREMENTS OF THE PROJECT
Our ask is pretty simple:
- Attend a training event and take a quiz in order to be added to the Xerces Society's Scientific Collecting Permit
- Adopt a grid cell - you can do this alone, or with a group of friends or family (Bumble bee watching is more fun with friends!).
- Visit a location within that grid cell two times during the bumble bee season and use one of our standardized protocols to sample for bumble bees.
- Submit your data to Bumble Bee Watch online, or using our iOS mobile app.
- Submit your habitat data at Bumble Bee Watch or using the mobile app.
What you will need to participate:
- A curiosity for insects and flowers.
- Transportation to your grid cell (you could also choose one that you can walk to).
- A smartphone or camera to take high quality pictures.
- Access to a computer or smart phone where you can upload photos to Bumble Bee Watch and track your progress.
What is helpful to participate:
- An insect net and vials (glass jars from home work well).
- Basic knowledge of wildflowers and where to find them!
- Plant field guides
- Bumble Bees of North America field guide
Sign up to participate in the California Bumble Bee Atlas here.