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Post by samwiseg on Aug 11, 2015 10:55:09 GMT
Look who decided to drop by today for a visit I think she must be a queen as she was huge! Am happy to report that HRH buzzed off quite happily out of our window
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Post by OP on Aug 11, 2015 11:22:21 GMT
Did you courtesy as you met. or was it "Goodbye honey" as she left.
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Post by starlingqueen on Aug 11, 2015 11:29:24 GMT
It was a buff tailed bumble bee. Beautiful creatures, I love bees.
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Post by steve05412 on Aug 11, 2015 11:33:09 GMT
That's so cool never seen one before
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Post by samwiseg on Aug 11, 2015 11:42:41 GMT
Neither have I steve05412 And thanks to starlingqueen's identification, I can confirm she was infact a queen! See here: Queens, workers and males have a dirty/golden yellow collar near the head and one on the abdomen. The queen’s tail is an off white/buff colour which can sometimes appear orange. The workers have a white tail with a subtle buff line separating the tail from the rest of the abdomen. Unlike many species, the Buff-tailed male’s facial hair is black, as opposed to yellow. Males have a buff-tinged tail. Info found here
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Post by ffiscool on Aug 11, 2015 11:43:37 GMT
nor me, and afraid to say, I am glad I haven't.. don't like them or wasps
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Post by samwiseg on Aug 11, 2015 11:46:45 GMT
Bees are ok for many reasons and so are wasps to a certain extent - but usually they only attack if they feel threatened. But I find it so sad that a bee will die after it has stung you where as a wasp can always sting and not die. Bee's make the ultimate sacrifice
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Post by OP on Aug 11, 2015 11:49:30 GMT
I haven't studied them either. Such a knowledgeable forum this is.
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Post by starlingqueen on Aug 11, 2015 12:02:59 GMT
Wasps get drunk on fallen, fermented fruit in the autumn which makes them angry. We all know what an angry drunk is like.
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Post by suesbird on Aug 11, 2015 12:20:29 GMT
Lovely.
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Post by ffiscool on Aug 11, 2015 13:02:48 GMT
I do get their use and that they normally will not sting, but I have to say if I am indoors and one around, then I do not rest, til I have gotten it outside.
if am outside, I just move, then I don't mind so much
had a wasps nest a while back in the bathroom and it was really creepy and horrible
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Post by Shirls on Aug 11, 2015 15:23:39 GMT
Lovely photograph samwiseg. With my recent experiences with wasps (yes I still have two nests) I find that it is only the females that sting!! Hmph!!!!
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Post by OP on Aug 11, 2015 15:36:51 GMT
Lovely photograph samwiseg. With my recent experiences with wasps (yes I still have two nests) I find that it is only the females that sting!! Hmph!!!! Typical.
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Post by Hezz on Aug 12, 2015 0:05:08 GMT
Great photos, Sam. Shirls, have you been sexing wasps, now???
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Post by Shirls on Aug 12, 2015 6:33:20 GMT
No Hezz, but just looked up loads of informaation on the internet about wasps. It is amazing the different types and actually what they do! Just very glad I don't have hornets nests!! It seems I have two different 'varieties' of wasp in my garden too, probably more in fact!!
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