Bees Grouped together - Ask Extension
I attended the Pollinator Training on September 8, 2022 at the Kellogg Biological Station. I had shown you some pictures of a cluster of bumble bees ...
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Bees Grouped together #817127
Asked December 01, 2022, 3:07 PM EST
I attended the Pollinator Training on September 8, 2022 at the Kellogg Biological Station. I had shown you some pictures of a cluster of bumble bees I found in my yard and wondered what was happening and what type of bumble bees they may be. I am attaching a few pictures for you to review. I have more pictures if needed.
Thanks for your help.
Patty McNinch
Tuscola Conservation District
Technician
Tuscola County Michigan
Expert Response
There could be a few different explanations for the behavior in your photos. A lot depends on the context (e.g. the time of year, location, etc.)
My best guess based on the information you have given me is that these are a couple of male bumble bees (drones) attempting to mate with a newly emerged queen bumble bee. Bumble bee colonies produce queens at the end of the season and each of these queens needs to mate before they seek out a sheltered location to overwinter. The colony that produced the new generation of queens does not survive the winter.
My best guess based on the information you have given me is that these are a couple of male bumble bees (drones) attempting to mate with a newly emerged queen bumble bee. Bumble bee colonies produce queens at the end of the season and each of these queens needs to mate before they seek out a sheltered location to overwinter. The colony that produced the new generation of queens does not survive the winter.
