Despite this, there is one bumblebee species that has an increasing population - the tree bumblebee (Bombus hypnorum).
Having arrived from Europe, it was first discovered in the UK in 2001 in the New Forest and has been spreading north ever since. Even so, it is a pleasure to find a female worker in our garden, feeding with the other bees on the always popular lavender:
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Unlike most bumblebees they are easy to identify - with a distinctive brown thorax, black abdomen and white tail:
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Whilst most bumblebees nest at ground level (preferring old mammal burrows), tree bumblebees prefer to nest above ground, finding bird nest boxes the ideal location - perhaps explaining part of it's success.
The Bumblebee Conservation Trust is recording sightings to see how tree bumblebees are spreading throughout the UK in an on-line survey: http://www.bumblebeeconservation.org.uk/tree_bee.htm
there a pain in the arse, cant hang washing out anymore, y are they so aggresive?
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments, I've never heard of bumblebees being aggressive. There is a nest of tree bumblebees in the house next to my parents and they don't seem bothered as I've stood underneath them and watched them.
Bumblebees nests are short lived and the nest will soon collapse, but you may consider contacting the bumblebee conservation trust enquiries@bumblebeeconservation.org who may offer advice or suggestions on why they are so aggressive.
Regards
Richard
A large number have nested above the door of our small outside toilet block. We have had to tape off the building as the Tree Bumble Bees have stung people attempting to access the building, and pursued others. Evidently they require an exclusion zone around their nest site!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment - it seems I am wrong it tree bumblebees not being aggressive. Hopefully the colony will soon collapse and you can regain your toilet block
Stratford upon Avon & District Bee Keepers' Assoc. described the tree bumble bee as a new and aggressive type of bumblebee. Interesting web site. Another site claim the tree bumblebee is aggressive enough to displace native bumblebees.
ReplyDeleteI have a Tree Bumble Bee nest on the front of my house (high up in a nest box, just under the eaves) They seem busy but don't bother us at all, I stand near the nest and they leave me be, I even mowed the lawn under them. They are out in my flower beds and I have to go right past them to get to my chickens and they don't seem to be bothered. Perhaps it is because the nest is so high that they don't feel threatened. I am a bit of a wimp around wasps and bees but I am managing to live with them at the mo. Although I am scared of bees I respect them and will leave them bee :)
ReplyDelete