Foo - First bumble bee of year spotted today

I :love: bumble bees.

Spring came today and I saw our first bumble bee of the year.

Anyone else appreciate the beauty of a bumble bee? http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3043/2580792191_88bc8db0b0.jpg?v=0

I think they're truly amazing creatures, love watching them.
There was this one (actually must have been a nest nearby) who would 'guard' this
footbridge over a creek in Va. near where I lived. It used to position itself right in the middle
and dive bomb everyone who tried to cross, it was quite comical to watch really as it never
actually stung anyone.

Marty

Has their population been dwindling in your area? I read a story a few years ago about bees just disappearing and scientists didn't know what was happening.

can never tell the difference between them or carpenter bees. Carpenter bees are a nightmare btw. They will mess up your house big time.

http://www.utoronto.ca/forest/termite/tohcbee.jpg :eek:

can never tell the difference between them or carpenter bees. Carpenter bees are a nightmare btw. They will mess up your house big time.

http://www.utoronto.ca/forest/termite/tohcbee.jpg :eek:You should keep them away from the saws and hammers. :thumb:

You should keep them away from the saws and hammers. :thumb:

umm...need to keep those away from you too.

umm...need to keep those away from you too.
Whooooooo meeeeeeee? :innocent:

can never tell the difference between them or carpenter bees. Carpenter bees are a nightmare btw. They will mess up your house big time.


Large carpenter bees are readily distinguished from bumble bees primarily by the absence of pubescence on the dorsum of the abdomen, which is somewhat shiny. They also lack a malar space (present in bumble bees), and the triangular second submarginal cell

[QUOTE=ModoVincere;8559680]can never tell the difference between them or carpenter bees. Carpenter bees are a nightmare btw. They will mess up your house big time.


Large carpenter bees are readily distinguished from bumble bees primarily by the absence of pubescence on the dorsum of the abdomen, which is somewhat shiny. They also lack a malar space (present in bumble bees), and the triangular second submarginal cell

Well, since I'm allergic to stings, I'll let you check for those differences. :innocent:

[QUOTE=Airwick;8559749]

Well, since I'm allergic to stings, I'll let you check for those differences. :innocent:

Here's a marvelous photo (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mimbrava/235875125/) of a carpenter bee.

Apparently they have "hairless butts" too.

[QUOTE=ModoVincere;8559760]

Here's a marvelous photo (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mimbrava/235875125/) of a carpenter bee.

Apparently they have "hairless butts" too.

ok...if I see a bee, I'll call you to check to see if it has a "hairless butt". :lol:

I think they're truly amazing creatures, love watching them.
There was this one (actually must have been a nest nearby) who would 'guard' this
footbridge over a creek in Va. near where I lived. It used to position itself right in the middle
and dive bomb everyone who tried to cross, it was quite comical to watch really as it never
actually stung anyone.

Marty

Smart bumble bee. Sting and they die.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3102/2304110748_351be7e96b.jpg?v=0


ok...if I see a bee, I'll call you to check to see if it has a "hairless butt". :lol:

Anytime, I'd be honored.

Here's a species that's under stress, and you're out spotting them.:troll::D

can never tell the difference between them or carpenter bees. Carpenter bees are a nightmare btw. They will mess up your house big time.

http://www.utoronto.ca/forest/termite/tohcbee.jpg :eek:

The one in Airwick's picture is a carpenter bee.
The carapace of its abdomen is smooth, bumble bees' abdomens are fuzzy.
The white headed ones have no stinger, the black headed ones do.


Carpenter bees are great fun to swat out of the air with a badminton racket. They are nature's shuttle cocks.

{edit** should have read the thread all the way through first.

...I can't wait for lightning bugs.....they're my favorite.

I'm allergic to bee stings. :notamused:

oh sheesh! sorry Airwick, but flying bugs such as that skeer me!! :eek: do not like to be near.

I'm allergic to bee stings. :notamused:

Beautiful things are often also dangerous, Siu. :)


oh sheesh! sorry Airwick, but flying bugs such as that skeer me!! :eek: do not like to be near.

First, congratulations wolfpack! :) Being in Carolina, I'm surprised you haven't spent many a lazy afternoon listening to bumble bees popping up against window screens.

I love the sound of bees buzzing on a sunny afternoon. :)

No wonder you aren't afraid of me.

No wonder you aren't afraid of me.

I am in constant fear of you, sweet Siu, and you're quite beautiful. :)

Yah right. :rolleyes:

Yah right. :rolleyes:

Why the rolling eyes? You know I think you're the cats meow (with cheese)

Beautiful things are often also dangerous, Siu. :)



First, congratulations wolfpack! :) Being in Carolina, I'm surprised you haven't spent many a lazy afternoon listening to bumble bees popping up against window screens.

I love the sound of bees buzzing on a sunny afternoon. :)

oh i have Airwick. but, i really don't like to be laying out in the sun on the deck and have those things flying around too close! ;)

Don't confuse bumblebees with honeybees. Honeybees have been dying, but I haven't heard of a problem with bumblebees. Honeybees (other than the queen) die after they sting, but bumblebees have barbless stingers, and survive to sting again.

I have bees in my yard all year round because of my citrus trees. I have not seen any bumblebees yet though.

Large carpenter bees are readily distinguished from bumble bees primarily by the absence of pubescence on the dorsum of the abdomen, which is somewhat shiny. They also lack a malar space (present in bumble bees), and the triangular second submarginal cell

Wenslydale: Come again?

Customer: I want to see some bees.

Wenslydale: Oh, I thought you were complaining about the bazouki player!

Customer: Oh, heaven forbid: I am one who delights in all manifestations of the Terpsichorean muse!

Wenslydale: Sorry?

Customer: 'Ooo, Ah lahk a nice tuune, 'yer forced too!

Wenslydale: So he can go on playing, can he?

Customer: Most certainly! Now then, some bees please, my good man.