IDENTIFYING bumblebees isn’t all that easy because the queens, males and workers often have different markings and face colours. Size varies, too. The first bees to emerge from the nest are often tiny, but as the colony develops more food becomes available. As a result of more food, the size of the bees increases. I encountered both problems in the mid-1980s, when I tried to track red-tailed bumblebees (Bombus lapidarius) for a nationwide survey. The early workers were so tiny that I failed to identify them. I have learnt to ignore size and concentrate on the bands and tail markings instead.
Queen bees are the easiest of all to identify, and many of these large bees fly fairly slowly early in the year, because temperatures are low. Many warm themselves up on our south-facing front door and stone walls, so we get a good look. The first red-tailed queens emerge in March and they make nests in mouse holes, and there’s normally at least one nest in my garden. The workers appear from April onwards, and males and new females are seen from July to early October. These colourful bees are fond of annual blue cornflowers (Centaurea cyanus), so I always grow some in the garden just for them.
Denne historien er fra May 15, 2021-utgaven av Amateur Gardening.
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Denne historien er fra May 15, 2021-utgaven av Amateur Gardening.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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To dig or not to dig?
Should we be carrying out a full dig on plots now? Bob considers the pros and cons of the 'autumn dig' debate
The box ball blues
As if his beleaguered box hadn't already taken a beating, Toby now has to deal with some hungry box caterpillars
Save your own seeds
Masterclass on: seed saving
Strange sightings
Three unusual insects turn up in Val's garden in one day
A bolt from the blue!
Cornflowers are perfect for garden and vase
Winter moth prevention
Ruth shows you how to avoid maggoty tree fruits
Create a winter container
There are as many options as in summer
Lightweight gardening tools
AS well as being good for our mental health, gardening is also great exercise.
Autumn price round-up
AG finds better bargains in lesser-known brands
Rudbeckias
Rudbeckias are ideal for sunny summer patios and borders, with some able to survive our coldest winters