Bumblebee mating?

OckViewer · #1 (**permalink**) 25-05-2009, 08:50 AM

This morning I saw these three bumblee bees (buff tailed), two small ones, one of which was attached to a large one.
My initial thought was that they were mating, however, they have now been on my back lawn for about 30 minutes and the large one (a queen?) isn't moving, so perhaps she has been attacked.

Any thoughts on what I've witnessed?

Thanks

Rich.

Africa · #2 (**permalink**) 25-05-2009, 07:12 PM

It looks that you witnessed copulation in Bombus pratorum. The male on the right seems to be the one to get the girl, the other one probably tried and failed. Copulation in this species is reported to last between 37 and 90 minutes, so it fits with your observation.

Geoff F · #3 (**permalink**) 25-05-2009, 07:21 PM

By now you should be aware as to whether the queen is dead or just resting!

I'm no expert on this, but until one comes along:- I suggest that the bees are actually Bombus pratorum and males should be starting to appear now. It is possible that a couple of young and desperate males may be trying to mate with a dead or dying queen.

Some Cuckoo Bees will kill or evict a nesting queen and take over the nest but I'm not quite sure which species preys on these nests.

An update of the situation may help, and by then a real bee expert may have appeared.

OckViewer · #4 (**permalink**) 26-05-2009, 07:46 AM

Thanks for your replies - that's very interesting to know, especially mating lasting up to 90 minutes. It does indeed match watch I've seen.

When I'd completed this post, I went outside to check on them and they had gone, so either mating was successful and they'd flown off or the local sparrows had found them. In retrospect, I should have waited to see what happened.
As they fell out of a bush, I suspect the queen was healthy and just weighed down by the two males.