Bumble Bee behaviour

effie39 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-06-2010, 02:15 PM

I have a small box in my garden that is supposedly for lady birds and lacewings. Recently I noticed a lot of small bumble bees flying around this and also going in. They get very agitated if I go too near. They are smallish and have a dark body with a white backend. I always understood they nested underground. I am sure they are nesting as there is pieces of straw hanging out.
I would be very interested in any info..... Thanks
David

eucera · #2 (**permalink**) 07-06-2010, 03:58 PM

Hi

These could be the recently arrived species Bombus hypnorum.

There is a download available at Information Sheets to help you confirm if the bees are B. hypnorum.

The BWARS pages also contain information on how to submit records to the national recording scheme

Cheers, Stuart

effie39 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-06-2010, 03:20 PM

Many thanks for all the info..... I have put in my post code to BWARS.

I note you are not too far from me.

Thanks again

David

effie39 · #4 (**permalink**) 24-06-2010, 09:13 AM

Hello again Eucera,
My box of Bombus hypnorum is extreemly active at the moment here in Newbury. There are two sizes of Bee..... Are they like honey bees with drones, workers and a queen? Last night I put my ear to the box and there was quite a lot of soft buzzing. My other question is - What happens later in the year. Does the colony get bigger and bigger and leave for nest boxes new? Do some die off in the winter?
I shall look forward to your reply.
Regards