Parasites on Bumblebee

[Arthur Onlum]

Can anyone tell me what parasites are on this bumblebee?


The bee was crawling around in the grass and seemed unable to fly, would it be possible to take the parasites off the bee?

[Harry Eales]

Originally Posted by Arthur Onlum

Can anyone tell me what parasites are on this bumblebee?


The bee was crawling around in the grass and seemed unable to fly, would it be possible to take the parasites off the bee?

Hello Arthur,

These insects are mites which are commensals in the nests of Bumblebees. They do harm to the Bumblebee although this specimen does look a little 'overloaded'.

In the autumn these mites attach themselves to freshly emerged Queen Bumblebees and stay with her throughout hibernation. The following year (assuming the queen survives) they will drop off in the nest she makes. The mites will clean up and otherwise make themselves useful in the nest, and presumably breed. In the autumn the cycle is repeated.

Harry

[paulinemiller10]

Poor bumble, there are too many mites on this bumble Arthur, I would wash her in warm water, you need a bowl of water, a stick to pick her up and a paint brush, dunk the stick with bumble in the water, she will try to climb up the stick, keep pushing her back in the water with the brush, gently brush the mites off her, they soon let go once they are in the water.

Sometimes bumble will look quite dead with this treatment, but don't worry, just dry her and put her in a warm place and she will recover, give her a drink of honey, 1 teaspoon honey, 2 water. or you can use sugar. Pauline.