[NatureNS] re huge bumblebees on rhodos, Wolfville

Date: Sun, 03 Jun 2012 19:40:23 -0300
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
From: Angus MacLean <angusmcl@ns.sympatico.ca>
References: <CCE6E2A6-2036-479D-A8F2-2412074B9899@eastlink.ca>
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<font size=3>As David points out, the large Bumble Bees (Queens) should
be for the most part, Bombus impatiens. I find it interesting that
<b>all</b>, that I have observed, are B. impatiens even though one should
find a few B. vagans. Also these Queens are numerous, noticeably more
than in past years. Does it mean anything? I have only saw a few workers
so far.<br><br>
Earlier these Queens spent most of their time on the ground inspecting
potential nesting sites. Now they are working the flowers; they are fond
of our azaleas which are somewhat past their peak bloom.<br><br>
Angus in Coldbrook, KIngs<br><br>
At 04:33 PM 6/3/2012, you wrote:<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">Jim:<br><br>
Large bumble bees now (early June) will be queens.&nbsp; Therefore each
one<br>
is likely to have her own colony.&nbsp; Many of these are likely to
be<br>
_Bombus impatiens_.&nbsp; This species was unknown in NS until about
1990.<br>
Since then it has become the most common species in cities and most<br>
towns.&nbsp; Yes, despite the press, this is a species of bee that
has<br>
increased in geographic range and population in NS.<br><br>
The first workers (all females) should be out in the next 10 days or<br>
perhaps some are out now.&nbsp; They are much smaller, less than half
the<br>
size of queens.&nbsp; These female workers will forage, defend the nest
and<br>
expand the nest.&nbsp; The next generation of workers will be a
little<br>
larger and by late August the females produced will be the size of
the<br>
large queens you are seeing now.<br><br>
DBMcC<br><br>
On Sun, Jun 3, 2012 at 3:53 PM, James W. Wolford
&lt;jimwolford@eastlink.ca&gt; wrote:<br>
&gt; JUNE 2, 2012 - At the Wolfville public library, I sat on a bench for
lunch<br>
&gt; in a lovely spot surrounded by rhododendrons loaded with pink
blossoms, and<br>
&gt; several noisy, huge, yellow-and-black bumblebees were feeding there
(on both<br>
&gt; pollen and nectar?).&nbsp; The bumblebees sounded dangerous but were
very easily<br>
&gt; approached and watched to very close distances (several cm.).<br>
&gt;<br>
&gt; I'm wondering (a) what species of bumblebee?, and (b) would these
bumblebees<br>
&gt; seen be members of a single colony?, or (c) is it still early enough
in the<br>
&gt; Summer that they would all be overwintered queens that are raising
their<br>
&gt; first broods in hidden nests somewhere?<br>
&gt;<br>
&gt; Cheers from Jim in Wolfville.</font></blockquote></body>
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