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</div><div styl <html> <body> <font size=3>As David points out, the large Bumble Bees (Queens) should be for the most part, Bombus impatiens. I find it interesting that <b>all</b>, that I have observed, are B. impatiens even though one should find a few B. vagans. Also these Queens are numerous, noticeably more than in past years. Does it mean anything? I have only saw a few workers so far.<br><br> Earlier these Queens spent most of their time on the ground inspecting potential nesting sites. Now they are working the flowers; they are fond of our azaleas which are somewhat past their peak bloom.<br><br> Angus in Coldbrook, KIngs<br><br> At 04:33 PM 6/3/2012, you wrote:<br> <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">Jim:<br><br> Large bumble bees now (early June) will be queens. Therefore each one<br> is likely to have her own colony. Many of these are likely to be<br> _Bombus impatiens_. This species was unknown in NS until about 1990.<br> Since then it has become the most common species in cities and most<br> towns. Yes, despite the press, this is a species of bee that has<br> increased in geographic range and population in NS.<br><br> The first workers (all females) should be out in the next 10 days or<br> perhaps some are out now. They are much smaller, less than half the<br> size of queens. These female workers will forage, defend the nest and<br> expand the nest. The next generation of workers will be a little<br> larger and by late August the females produced will be the size of the<br> large queens you are seeing now.<br><br> DBMcC<br><br> On Sun, Jun 3, 2012 at 3:53 PM, James W. Wolford <jimwolford@eastlink.ca> wrote:<br> > JUNE 2, 2012 - At the Wolfville public library, I sat on a bench for lunch<br> > in a lovely spot surrounded by rhododendrons loaded with pink blossoms, and<br> > several noisy, huge, yellow-and-black bumblebees were feeding there (on both<br> > pollen and nectar?). The bumblebees sounded dangerous but were very easily<br> > approached and watched to very close distances (several cm.).<br> ><br> > I'm wondering (a) what species of bumblebee?, and (b) would these bumblebees<br> > seen be members of a single colony?, or (c) is it still early enough in the<br> > Summer that they would all be overwintered queens that are raising their<br> > first broods in hidden nests somewhere?<br> ><br> > Cheers from Jim in Wolfville.</font></blockquote></body> </html>
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