Bee identification needed, please!
Is there a particular category that these two bees fall under?
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=22179147&size=m http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=20237855&size=m Photographs taken in seperate locations about a week or so appart. Any help much apreciated. Banana :) (Paul) |
The message
from "Banana" contains these words: Is there a particular category that these two bees fall under? http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=22179147&size=m It's a hoverfly. One of the many species which have a protective likeness to stinging insects. You can tell them apart because bees and wasps have two pairs of wings and long antennae. Flies have one pair of wings and short antennae. http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=20237855&size=m White-tailed bumblebee I think, (Bombus lucorum) -- Rusty Emus to: horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co full-stop uk http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/ |
"Banana" wrote in message ... Is there a particular category that these two bees fall under? http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=22179147&size=m http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=20237855&size=m Photographs taken in seperate locations about a week or so appart. Any help much apreciated. Banana :) (Paul) Paul, I have had some excellent advice from BWARS (Bee, Wasp and Ant Recording Society) Have a look at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bwars -- ned http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk last update 24.06.2005 |
Jaques d'Alltrades wrote:
The message from "Banana" contains these words: Is there a particular category that these two bees fall under? http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=22179147&size=m It's a hoverfly. One of the many species which have a protective likeness to stinging insects. You can tell them apart because bees and wasps have two pairs of wings and long antennae. Flies have one pair of wings and short antennae. http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=20237855&size=m White-tailed bumblebee I think, (Bombus lucorum) I don't get it, Rusty. If you look at the header on the photo it was marked 'hoverfly' so the OP clearly knew it /was/ a hoverfly and *not* a bee. So why post here calling it a bee...? I love bumbles - it takes a great deal, I've found, to make them sting. In fact, I have picked them up, in my cupped hands, to release them outside when they have stumbled into the house. Had a buff-tail sit on my arm the other day and it was very strokable (well they are, they're all velvety!) I have never been stung by one - obviously, stinging is a *very* last resort as, obviously, it's suicidal. I acutally believe that it's the Vestal cuckoo bee (Bombus vestalis (formerly Psithyrus vestalis)). Some good images of such can be found here http://www.arkive.org/species/ARK/in...ll_images.html (or http://tinyurl.com/8pwg3 if that wraps). But what do I know - hymenoptera isn't my area of expertise. Sarah |
The message
from "Miss Perspicacia Tick" contains these words: Jaques d'Alltrades wrote: The message from "Banana" contains these words: Is there a particular category that these two bees fall under? http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=22179147&size=m It's a hoverfly. One of the many species which have a protective likeness to stinging insects. You can tell them apart because bees and wasps have two pairs of wings and long antennae. Flies have one pair of wings and short antennae. http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=20237855&size=m White-tailed bumblebee I think, (Bombus lucorum) I don't get it, Rusty. If you look at the header on the photo it was marked 'hoverfly' so the OP clearly knew it /was/ a hoverfly and *not* a bee. So why post here calling it a bee...? I didn't look at the header, I only looked at the pic. I love bumbles - it takes a great deal, I've found, to make them sting. In fact, I have picked them up, in my cupped hands, to release them outside when they have stumbled into the house. Had a buff-tail sit on my arm the other day and it was very strokable (well they are, they're all velvety!) I have never been stung by one - obviously, stinging is a *very* last resort as, obviously, it's suicidal. When I was four (I know how old because we were only in that house when I was that age) I used to catch bumblebees in my cupped hands, then let them go. I was never stung, either. Now, I'll do the same as you, and catch them if they've wandered into the house, and release them outside. I acutally believe that it's the Vestal cuckoo bee (Bombus vestalis (formerly Psithyrus vestalis)). Maybe. I don't know that one - there are rather a lot of similar ones. Some good images of such can be found here http://www.arkive.org/species/ARK/in...ll_images.html (or http://tinyurl.com/8pwg3 if that wraps). But what do I know - hymenoptera isn't my area of expertise. Nor mine. I've been buzzed - well, deep-hummed, really - by hornets recently. I hope none of my neighbours feels the nest has to be found and destroyed. They're almost as unfazed bt people as bumblebees if you don't poke a stick into their nest... -- Rusty Emus to: horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co full-stop uk http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/ |
"Miss Perspicacia Tick" wrote in message ... snip | I don't get it, Rusty. If you look at the header on the photo it was marked | 'hoverfly' so the OP clearly knew it /was/ a hoverfly and *not* a bee. So | why post here calling it a bee...? Because I changed the title from Bee to Hoverfly after Rusty mentioned that is wasn't a Bee. Banana :) |
"ned" wrote in message ... snip | Paul, I have had some excellent advice from BWARS (Bee, Wasp and Ant | Recording Society) | Have a look at | http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bwars | | -- | ned Ignore my question in the other group then ;-) I'll join that group :o) Many thanks Ned. Banana :) (Paul) |
Jaques d'Alltrades wrote:
The message from "Miss Perspicacia Tick" contains these words: Jaques d'Alltrades wrote: The message from "Banana" contains these words: Is there a particular category that these two bees fall under? http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=22179147&size=m It's a hoverfly. One of the many species which have a protective likeness to stinging insects. You can tell them apart because bees and wasps have two pairs of wings and long antennae. Flies have one pair of wings and short antennae. http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=20237855&size=m White-tailed bumblebee I think, (Bombus lucorum) I don't get it, Rusty. If you look at the header on the photo it was marked 'hoverfly' so the OP clearly knew it /was/ a hoverfly and *not* a bee. So why post here calling it a bee...? I didn't look at the header, I only looked at the pic. I love bumbles - it takes a great deal, I've found, to make them sting. In fact, I have picked them up, in my cupped hands, to release them outside when they have stumbled into the house. Had a buff-tail sit on my arm the other day and it was very strokable (well they are, they're all velvety!) I have never been stung by one - obviously, stinging is a *very* last resort as, obviously, it's suicidal. When I was four (I know how old because we were only in that house when I was that age) I used to catch bumblebees in my cupped hands, then let them go. I was never stung, either. Now, I'll do the same as you, and catch them if they've wandered into the house, and release them outside. I acutally believe that it's the Vestal cuckoo bee (Bombus vestalis (formerly Psithyrus vestalis)). Maybe. I don't know that one - there are rather a lot of similar ones. Some good images of such can be found here http://www.arkive.org/species/ARK/in...ll_images.html (or http://tinyurl.com/8pwg3 if that wraps). But what do I know - hymenoptera isn't my area of expertise. Nor mine. I've been buzzed - well, deep-hummed, really - by hornets recently. I hope none of my neighbours feels the nest has to be found and destroyed. They're almost as unfazed bt people as bumblebees if you don't poke a stick into their nest... If your neighbours are inclined to think that way, simply remind them that hornets are protected and the destruction of a nest is to leave themselves liable to prosecution... As you state, they're (fairly) docile creatures (unlike the common wasp which seems to sting with gay abandon for absolutely no reason whatsoever). I used to be a Beaver and Cub Scout leader (I used to do Brownies as well) and where we used to take the boys camping there was a nest and you know boys of that age, they know no fear and they would happily stand they with them crawling up their arms. AFAICR, nobody was stung. |
Miss Perspicacia Tick wrote: I love bumbles - it takes a great deal, I've found, to make them sting. My father attempted to prove to my mother that bumble bees don't sting by picking one up and ramming its backside hard onto her thigh. The attempt failed! .... but short of /gross/ provocation, I agree -- they never sting. |
In article , Miss Perspicacia
Tick writes I love bumbles - it takes a great deal, I've found, to make them sting. In fact, I have picked them up, in my cupped hands, to release them outside when they have stumbled into the house. Had a buff-tail sit on my arm the other day and it was very strokable (well they are, they're all velvety!) I have never been stung by one - obviously, stinging is a *very* last resort as, obviously, it's suicidal. Is it obvious? Someone posted here the other day saying, IIRC, that unlike honey bees, bumbles don't leave their sting behind. -- Kay "Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river" |
In article , Miss Perspicacia Tick
writes As you state, they're (fairly) docile creatures (unlike the common wasp which seems to sting with gay abandon for absolutely no reason whatsoever). I've never found that with wasps. Whenever I've been stung, it's because I've inadvertently hit, knelt on or done something else to the wasp which it could quite reasonably consider to be a threat. -- Kay "Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river" |
Banana wrote: Because I changed the title from Bee to Hoverfly after Rusty mentioned that is wasn't a Bee. Banana :) I don't understand, that looks like a bee to mee. sarah |
The message
from Kay contains these words: In article , Miss Perspicacia Tick writes As you state, they're (fairly) docile creatures (unlike the common wasp which seems to sting with gay abandon for absolutely no reason whatsoever). I've never found that with wasps. Whenever I've been stung, it's because I've inadvertently hit, knelt on or done something else to the wasp which it could quite reasonably consider to be a threat. Oh, I have. Just walking, and nowhere near its nest (I knew where that was, so avoided it), and this wasp just flew towards me, landed, stung, and flew off. Nasty small variety, a bit smaller than the usual, but not a solitary wopse. -- Rusty Emus to: horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co full-stop uk http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/ |
Kay wrote:
In article , Miss Perspicacia Tick writes I love bumbles - it takes a great deal, I've found, to make them sting. In fact, I have picked them up, in my cupped hands, to release them outside when they have stumbled into the house. Had a buff-tail sit on my arm the other day and it was very strokable (well they are, they're all velvety!) I have never been stung by one - obviously, stinging is a *very* last resort as, obviously, it's suicidal. Is it obvious? Someone posted here the other day saying, IIRC, that unlike honey bees, bumbles don't leave their sting behind. Actually, Kay, it's a common misconception. Honey bees do not leave their stings, bumbles do. Neither do wasps as I know as one flew up my trowser leg one summer and then proceeded to sting me about 20 times as it tried to make its escape... I had to go to A&E for an adrenaline shot (and I'm the most needle phobic person you're ever likely to come across!). |
Miss Perspicacia Tick wrote:
Kay wrote: [...] Is it obvious? Someone posted here the other day saying, IIRC, that unlike honey bees, bumbles don't leave their sting behind. Actually, Kay, it's a common misconception. Honey bees do not leave their stings, bumbles do. [...] Ang abaht, mate! You got c & v for that? -- Mike. |
On Wed, 29 Jun 2005 17:51:00 +0100, Miss Perspicacia Tick wrote:
Kay wrote: Is it obvious? Someone posted here the other day saying, IIRC, that unlike honey bees, bumbles don't leave their sting behind. Actually, Kay, it's a common misconception. Honey bees do not leave their stings, bumbles do. Not so I'm afraid. As an ex-beekeeper, I can promise you that honey bees do leave their stings in you; I've had to scrape out more stings than I care to think of! I don't know about bumbles though. -- Cheers, Serena Sometimes I sits and thinks ... and sometimes I just sits. (Punch cartoon) |
On Wed, 29 Jun 2005 13:29:02 +0100, Kay wrote:
I've never found that with wasps. Whenever I've been stung, it's because I've inadvertently hit, knelt on or done something else to the wasp which it could quite reasonably consider to be a threat. Same here. I remember one year, I had a wasps' nest which had its front door opening into my conservatory, which I used as a utility room. The air in there was always thick with wasps but despite regularly going back and forth through the throng, whenever I was doing any laundry, I was never stung. -- Cheers, Serena Generally speaking, it is inhumane to detain a fleeting insight. (Fran Lebowitz) |
The message
from "Miss Perspicacia Tick" contains these words: Kay wrote: In article , Miss Perspicacia Tick writes I love bumbles - it takes a great deal, I've found, to make them sting. In fact, I have picked them up, in my cupped hands, to release them outside when they have stumbled into the house. Had a buff-tail sit on my arm the other day and it was very strokable (well they are, they're all velvety!) I have never been stung by one - obviously, stinging is a *very* last resort as, obviously, it's suicidal. Is it obvious? Someone posted here the other day saying, IIRC, that unlike honey bees, bumbles don't leave their sting behind. Actually, Kay, it's a common misconception. Honey bees do not leave their stings, bumbles do. I've been stung by both. Kay is correct, you have it the wrong way round. Janet |
"Miss Perspicacia Tick" wrote in message ... Kay wrote: In article , Miss Perspicacia Tick writes I love bumbles - it takes a great deal, I've found, to make them sting. In fact, I have picked them up, in my cupped hands, to release them outside when they have stumbled into the house. Had a buff-tail sit on my arm the other day and it was very strokable (well they are, they're all velvety!) I have never been stung by one - obviously, stinging is a *very* last resort as, obviously, it's suicidal. Is it obvious? Someone posted here the other day saying, IIRC, that unlike honey bees, bumbles don't leave their sting behind. Actually, Kay, it's a common misconception. Honey bees do not leave their stings, bumbles do. Neither do wasps as I know as one flew up my trowser leg one summer and then proceeded to sting me about 20 times as it tried to make its escape... I had to go to A&E for an adrenaline shot (and I'm the most needle phobic person you're ever likely to come across!). Worker honey bee stings are barbed and can indeed stick in the skin of the 'victim', complete with the venom sac. I know this from personal experience. OTOH, I have never been stung by a 'bumble', they seem most imperturbable:-) |
Quote:
Whenever I need to remove a wasp I put a smidgen of Jam on my finger to get it to hop on, then once outside, gently wipe the jam onto a window sill or something. The wasp invariably stays with the jam and and I've never been stung. I think they smell fear though, which could explain a lot..... |
The message
from Martin contains these words: I'm surprised they don't smell your sticky window sill. Have you tried smearing jam on snails? That's silly! With the speed of snails you'd soon have a traffic jam. -- Rusty Emus to: horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co full-stop uk http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/ |
Serena Blanchflower wrote:
On Wed, 29 Jun 2005 13:29:02 +0100, Kay wrote: I've never found that with wasps. Whenever I've been stung, it's because I've inadvertently hit, knelt on or done something else to the wasp which it could quite reasonably consider to be a threat. Same here. I remember one year, I had a wasps' nest which had its front door opening into my conservatory, which I used as a utility room. The air in there was always thick with wasps but despite regularly going back and forth through the throng, whenever I was doing any laundry, I was never stung. Hello, stranger! You don't often venture into this neck of the woods (at least, I've never seen you here before). How goes it, friend...? |
Miss Perspicacia Tick writes
I love bumbles - it takes a great deal, I've found, to make them sting. In fact, I have picked them up, in my cupped hands, to release them outside when they have stumbled into the house. Had a buff-tail sit on my arm the other day and it was very strokable (well they are, they're all velvety!) I have never been stung by one - obviously, stinging is a *very* last resort as, obviously, it's suicidal. Had about six of them appear on the lounge carpet over a period of a few weeks, each looking pretty much finished. So I persuaded them to crawl onto a bit of card, took them outside and put a blob of honey (normal stuff from a jar) near them, watched them lap it up, clean themselves, rev up, do a wobbly circuit and then buzz off. Very satisfying. -- David |
you can talk a bumble bee out of the window, I've done this several times,
'up a bit, left a bit, down a bit' to the astonishment of classes of kids. It never works with wasps, I think they lack the brain cells "Dave" wrote in message ... Miss Perspicacia Tick writes I love bumbles - it takes a great deal, I've found, to make them sting. In fact, I have picked them up, in my cupped hands, to release them outside when they have stumbled into the house. Had a buff-tail sit on my arm the other day and it was very strokable (well they are, they're all velvety!) I have never been stung by one - obviously, stinging is a *very* last resort as, obviously, it's suicidal. Had about six of them appear on the lounge carpet over a period of a few weeks, each looking pretty much finished. So I persuaded them to crawl onto a bit of card, took them outside and put a blob of honey (normal stuff from a jar) near them, watched them lap it up, clean themselves, rev up, do a wobbly circuit and then buzz off. Very satisfying. -- David |
All times are GMT +1. The time now is 02:12 AM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
GardenBanter