Bee carrying eggs ??? by artaddict2
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Description
Yesterday I had just left the Art and Craft group I attend and on the Path next to the roadside I noticed a Bee. I warned Sylvia to be careful as she almost stood on it not knowing it was there. Sylvia placed a piece of paper underneath its front legs prompted the bee to climb on. She carried it safely onto a thorny bush nearby.
And guess what I had my camera and took a couple of shots (a couple means 7 lol) When I viewed on my PC I was really suprised to see it was carrying eggs!
Comments (35)
JeffG7BRJ
I made a comment on here the other day Alan I don't know what happened to it, but I know it was before Mick made his comment. Mind you I have noticed that a couple of times I have pressed close instead of submit. I'm losing it I think. Anyhow I got in touch with the Bee Keepers Society and they sent me the following. Thanks for the e-mail. This is a vey common sight. These are actually mites belonging to the Parisitcus sp, probably Parasiticus fucorum. These are not actually parasites of bumble bees, but are commensals which live in the nest with them. Bumble bees are very poor housekeepers and their nests are quite messy - the mites are scavengers, sometimes they hop onto the bee to scrounge a lift and sometimes in such large numbers that they hamper the bees. Superb macro by the way, which I did mention before. Awesome detail. Bravo!!!!!
PD154
Yep all that stuff is right, As a kid, I used to put bumble bees in a glass jar, and spin it slowly and this used to knock a lot of the mites off, then I'd let the bee go and examine the mites under a microscope LOL...Couldnt have done much good I don't think? other wise they would be in decline....Excellent macro, those opertunist shots, sometimes turn out to be the best!
Chaosphoto
Definately mites though where I live they are usually vivid red
wubby
GGGGreat macro! And those are parasites on the bee it appears to be heavily infested, poor old bee.
sintoock
La Vie est dure parfois! Excellente macro.