grass bees nest

[BettyB]

Two days ago we accidentally disturbed a nest made of grass lodged in a dead honeysuckle. It looks not unlike a small birds nest. It was occupied by a large number of small pale-coloured bees all very much alive. As the honeysuckle had been removed we left the nest as near as possible to where it was found and sheltered it with a large roof-tile.

Today it is still intact and the bees are active so we hope not too put out.

Can someone tell us what kind of bees these are? We have plenty of bees in the garden, bumbles, ground nesting bees under a crumbling concrete path and visiting bees from a local apiary but have never had these before.

What will happen to these bees in the winter? Is there anything else we can do for them?

[ian at lings]

Might well be carder bees, Bombus pascuorum, which are fairly small, rather ginger and furry. They often make nests of moss in grass but I would imagine they could nest higher up in vegetation.
If they are bumble bees the colony will die out at the end of the year and the mated females, next year's queens, will disperse to hibernate ready to form nests next spring.
If you want to know more about bumblebees the Field Guide to the Bumblebees of Great Britain and Ireland is an excellent up to date and cheep guide. or try the BBCT at The Bumblebee Conservation Trust
Cheers
Ian

[BettyB]

Thanks Ian. Definitely not bumle bees. The nest was about shoulder height in a mass of dead twiggy growth.

[ian at lings]

Can you describe the bees? Size, colour, degree of hairyness, whether they are feeding on flowers and whether you can see pollen baskets, little "packets" of pollen, on their hind legs.
Cheers
Ian

[BettyB]

Hallo again Ian

I realise how ignorant I am! I thought that all bumble bees were the big ones with the furry bottoms which we welcome into the greenhouse for their pollination "skills".

It's getting dusk now but I'll have another watch tomorrow and report again. Thank you again fpor your responses.

[eucera]

These are probably Bombus pascuorum, the common carder bee. However, I await descriptions to confirm

[BettyB]

Thanks for all replies.

The bees are about 7mm long in body, pale yellowish stripes and quite furry or hairy. It's not been a very bee-friendly day. No sun and humid. Very little activity outside the nest but very much alive inside. The nest looks as though it is breathing.

There are no flowers very near to the nest but honeysuckle, campanulas, roses, fuchsias fairly near. Other bees have visited these today but not the carders ( if that is what they are ) when I have been around.

[BettyB]

Got a chance for a good look today at one feeding on teasle flowers. These seem popular with larger bees, too.

Looking at other posts I think these ARE Bombus pascuorum.