Topic: Bees FAO Robert B really

[MrsKP]

I've got white bummed bees galore now and am not even scared of them anymore.  In particular they seem to adore my orange and red/black poppies.

See what a little education can do ?

Thanks muchly.

 ;D

[Robert_Brenchley]

Great! There's no need to be scared at all.

[Heldi]

I saw a bee last week with a really bright yellow underbelly. Atleast I assumed it was a bee. Looked closer to the honey bee type rather than the bumble bee type if you know what I mean. Quite large though.. Wondered if the yellow was pollen but I really don't think it was. Any ideas or was I seeing things?

[Robert_Brenchley]

Almost certainly pollen. Bees carry it in different ways; honeybees pack it into 'pollen baskets' on the rear legs, where it's caught in long stiff hairs. Some of the solitary bees carry it on their bodies, and I think that's what you saw. Some do look rather like honeybees.

[MrsKP]

i saw one with a load in between in shoulder blades.  you could actually see him moving it all up there.

fascinating!

 ;D

[Heldi]

Well there you go, I didn't know that at all. I thought all bees carried their pollen on their legs.

 I am constantly amazed by what I am finding,insect wise, in my garden now...after it being almost dead with nothing in it except a lawn and a brick BBQ when I moved in five years ago.