UPDATE: The race to spot the first bumble bee of 2026 kicks off in mere hours! Just after midnight, the Bohart Museum of Entomology will launch its highly anticipated sixth annual Robbin Thorp Memorial First-Bumble Bee-of-the-Year Contest, challenging residents in Solano and Yolo counties to capture the season’s first bumble bee on camera.
The contest officially opens at 12:01 a.m. on January 1, 2026. Participants must photograph or record a video of a bumble bee and submit their entries to the museum at [email protected], providing the date, time, and location of their sighting. The first verified submission will win a commemorative coffee cup featuring the endangered Franklin’s bumble bee, a species that Robbin Thorp dedicated much of his research to along the California–Oregon border.
Launched in 2021 to honor Thorp, a renowned entomologist and former professor at UC Davis, this contest pays tribute to his legacy and passion for native pollinators. Thorp, who passed away in June 2019 at the age of 85, was known for his enthusiasm in tracking the emergence of the first bumble bee each year. Notably, the black-tailed bumble bee (Bombus melanopygus) is typically the first species to appear, foraging on early-blooming plants such as manzanita and sage.
The stakes are high as the contest has become a cherished tradition, attracting participants ranging from professional scientists to backyard enthusiasts. Last year, the contest ended in a tie, with Michael Kwong and Kaylen Teves both capturing images of a yellow-faced bumble bee on January 11, 2025, in Glen Cove Marina, Vallejo.
In 2024, Nancy Hansen set a new record by spotting a black-tailed bumble bee at 10:57 a.m. on January 1, while Ria deGrassi won in 2023 with a sighting on January 8. The inaugural contest in 2022 resulted in a tie as well, highlighting the competitive spirit surrounding this annual event.
Organizers emphasize that the contest not only honors Thorp’s significant contributions but also raises awareness about the vital role of native pollinators. Each submission reminds participants that even the smallest observations can enhance our understanding of biodiversity and the environment.
With just hours to go before the contest kicks off, excitement is building in the community. Enthusiasts are encouraged to gear up and prepare their cameras for this unique celebration of nature and conservation.
Stay tuned and mark your calendars for 12:01 a.m. on January 1, as the race for the first bumble bee of the year officially begins!
