falpere Posted April 24, 2010 Share Posted April 24, 2010 I have seen dozens of bumble bees of late, they are sporting a new colour scheme, Black and red/orange! (and they are big!) A bit of a boring thread for most, granted, but I would love to know why they have changed from black and yellow. Is it a new species from far away? I remember the French Hornet invasion last year. Is this a similar invasion? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saffy Posted April 24, 2010 Share Posted April 24, 2010 LOL .. I dunno ... will take a look tomorrow .. but there are a LOT of bumble bees about at the mo I must admit ..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phanerothyme Posted April 24, 2010 Share Posted April 24, 2010 There are dozens of species of bumblebees, if not more, native to the UK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milquetoast1 Posted April 24, 2010 Share Posted April 24, 2010 They are big because at this time of year they are all queens that have over wintered and are now looking for nest sites. As for their color, I can't comment because I've been stuck in the US so long my spelling is beginning to change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falpere Posted April 24, 2010 Author Share Posted April 24, 2010 There are dozens of species of bumblebees, if not more, native to the UK. So what is with the orange bumbedle bees Phan' ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falpere Posted April 24, 2010 Author Share Posted April 24, 2010 They are big because at this time of year they are all queens that have over wintered and are now looking for nest sites. As for their color, I can't comment because I've been stuck in the US so long my spelling is beginning to change. Yes you have. Get a grip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
[Matt] Posted April 24, 2010 Share Posted April 24, 2010 Bumblebee ID key... http://www.nhm.ac.uk/research-curation/research/projects/bombus/key_british_colour.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GothicCharm Posted April 25, 2010 Share Posted April 25, 2010 YES. i have seen these scary looking bees too. Just the fact they are redish orange makes them scarier, especially to someone terrified of bees! the people i work with don't believe me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibertyBell Posted April 25, 2010 Share Posted April 25, 2010 So what is with the orange bumbedle bees Phan' ? I love bees. You could be looking at a carder bee....??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scozzie Posted April 25, 2010 Share Posted April 25, 2010 ;6169954']Bumblebee ID key... http://www.nhm.ac.uk/research-curation/research/projects/bombus/key_british_colour.html I have noticed that they are big enough to carry off a small child this year, but the red/orange colour I have seen are on the shoulders, not the tail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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