Bumblebee

gerwil · Hazel Tree Joined: 01 Jun 2008 Posts: 6

I often come across weak bumblebee on the ground and someone told me that I should give them a little honey and that it should give them a little boost.
So I was wondering is this right or would honey that's not their own do them any harm.

Sive · Rowan Tree Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 127

I would also be interested in a reply to this, as I tend to "rescue" the bumble bees and pop them onto a flower, no idea if this helps them or not.
I have also heard that sometimes they need water, and may be dehydrated(???)
Any bumble bee experts out there?

cooler · Silver Birch Tree Joined: 15 Jun 2006 Posts: 174

Not dehydrated but actually stoned on nectar. At least thats what a gardeners in one of the parks told me. Say if a bee is getting its fill of nectar from a particularly potent flower it may overdose and fall from the flower onto its back. Junkie bees Laughing

Sive · Rowan Tree Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 127

Wow, that really adds a new dimension to the discussion! I'll watch them with renewed interest from now on!

hawthorn · Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 9:20 pm Post subject:

Common Carder Bee. These bees are all over my lavender plants even though there's not many flowers left on the plants. I have seen bees on there backs many times and i always presumed that they had been hit by something, like a car or they flew into a window and were stunned for a bit. I don't know whether i would agree with (COOLER), on them being out of it after taking too much nectar, and i don't think i will be out with a spoon of honey the next time i see a bee on its back, the neighbors will think its me who is out of it.... Laughing

hope ye like the pic.
_________________
"Never trust a man, who when left alone with a tea cosey...Doesn't try it on."
(Billy Connolly)

janelee · Hazel Tree Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 25

Really cool pic hawthorn. I didn't know their antenna were so long.

hawthorn · Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 8:32 pm Post subject:

Thank you JANELEE, This guys antenna are pretty long all right, but because i am in very close with the camera it might exaggerate the size a small bit. And he must be IRISH with that red hair.
_________________
"Never trust a man, who when left alone with a tea cosey...Doesn't try it on."
(Billy Connolly)