The Society for the study of flies (Diptera)
Affiliated to the British Entomological and Natural History Society (BENHS)
You are not logged in.
#1 2008-08-12 02:40:10
- Mark
- DF Members
- Name: Mark Mitchell
- From: Hampshire
- Registered: 2008-06-17
- Posts: 272
Sickly Bumble Bees
Hi
I have been noticing a few rather sluggish poorly looking bumble bees recently, should I be collecting these in the off chance any thing 'Conopid' may be involved? If so what would be the best way to keep the bees that may reveal the culprit?
Mark
Offline
#2 2008-08-12 13:22:45
Re: Sickly Bumble Bees
I've tried keeping moribund bumbles without success, but I probably got the technique wrong. Based on my more successful experience with other flies, I would keep the bees in a container with netting on top, to ventilate it, and avoid condensation. Put a decent depth of clean compost (I use coir based peat free compost for other diptera - which I have been successful with) in the bottom - about two - three inches. Leave in a shed or garage, out of direct sunlight and wait, possibly until next summer, to see what happens.
Good luck.
Last edited by conopid (2008-08-13 13:17:45)
Nigel Jones
Shropshire
Offline
#3 2008-08-16 01:38:39
- Tony Irwin
- DF Members
- Name: Tony Irwin
- From: Norwich
- Registered: 2008-03-01
- Posts: 393
Re: Sickly Bumble Bees
An alternative explanation is that the bees may be affected by toxic nectar - notably produced by lime trees. Dissection of any dead bees should reveal whether or not conopids are involved.
Last edited by Tony Irwin (2008-08-16 01:41:09)
Offline