What has happened to this bumblebee ?

[peterbolson]

Found several like this on a clump of thistles yesterday. One appeared normal & I think was the same species - sorry photos not good for making an ID.
Would be interested to know what has happened to them.
Peter

[djackso]

I found one like this, but dead. Are these still alive?

[eucera]

I can't tell if they are the same species. I reckon #2 is probably B. hortorum.

As far as #1 is concerned it is just soaking wet. Could it have been in a flower that filled up with water? maybe it was lured into a bird bath or swimming pool or water butt. It wouldn't be the first time

[peterbolson]

Thanks Eucera
I suppose that was the obvious answer
It had been raining but it was out in a forest clearing & there was no standing water. There were about 6 like this, all alive but not moving much.
Peter

[eucera]

Very easily. They fall in... climb out... and then off they go.

On the other hand... why would a spider want to soak a bumblebee?

[jaguarondi]

Hi, I'm a newbie here, but isn't your wet bumble bee a cuckoo bee? Look at the pollen collecting segment - its all hairy. If it was a normal bumble bee it would be smooth and shiny.

If it is a cuckoo bee it probably hasn't got a nest to go back to. And they do tend to hang about on flowerheads (thistles, knapweed etc) in wood clearings, and probably get soaked by the dew. Just a theory