Comments - Endangered species discovered at Abney Nature Reserve - Sustainable Hackney2024-03-28T14:07:32Zhttps://sustainablehackney.org.uk/profiles/comment/feed?attachedTo=6446498%3ABlogPost%3A22355&xn_auth=noHi Lorraine. Bumblebee worker…tag:sustainablehackney.org.uk,2013-06-19:6446498:Comment:226932013-06-19T05:29:07.507ZTim Evanshttps://sustainablehackney.org.uk/profile/TimEvans
<p>Hi Lorraine. Bumblebee workers from the same nest do vary a lot in size, e.g. bombus terrestris (buff-tailed) workers vary x8 in mass. There is apparently a lot of debate about adaptive reasons for this and I've just been reading a discussion in Dave Goulson's 'Bumblebees: behaviour, ecology and conservation'; he also covers it in more readable style in his new book 'A Sting in the Tale'. One consistent feature is that in species studied, foragers tend to be the larger workers and the…</p>
<p>Hi Lorraine. Bumblebee workers from the same nest do vary a lot in size, e.g. bombus terrestris (buff-tailed) workers vary x8 in mass. There is apparently a lot of debate about adaptive reasons for this and I've just been reading a discussion in Dave Goulson's 'Bumblebees: behaviour, ecology and conservation'; he also covers it in more readable style in his new book 'A Sting in the Tale'. One consistent feature is that in species studied, foragers tend to be the larger workers and the smallest workers seem to remain in the nest all their lives and mind the brood. Among other things, big bees see and smell better simply because they have bigger eyes and more antennal scent receptors. Maybe having a range of sizes means they can forage a range of flowers. Maybe bigger bees can avoid predators; maybe they can fly at lower temperatures. There are quite a few theories and not enough data. All very intriguing.</p>
<p>Russell, that HBP objection is fantastic.</p> NIce one, Russell. I have a b…tag:sustainablehackney.org.uk,2013-06-11:6446498:Comment:223572013-06-11T21:45:10.881ZLorraine Tilletthttps://sustainablehackney.org.uk/profile/LorraineTillett
<p>NIce one, Russell. I have a bumblebee nest in my garden which I haven't satisfactorily identified yet but found a dead Early bumblebee (if Natural History Museum site is to be relied upon) there, too. Do you get very large queen-like bees flying (not just one) at the same time and in the same colony as much smaller bees seeming to issue from the same nest? Can't quite figure it. </p>
<p>NIce one, Russell. I have a bumblebee nest in my garden which I haven't satisfactorily identified yet but found a dead Early bumblebee (if Natural History Museum site is to be relied upon) there, too. Do you get very large queen-like bees flying (not just one) at the same time and in the same colony as much smaller bees seeming to issue from the same nest? Can't quite figure it. </p>