Bee behavior question
mxk3 z5b_MI
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
3 years agolkayetwvz5
3 years agoRelated Discussions
bee behavior query
Comments (12)Bees don't mix minerals WITH pollen; pollen contains minerals (along with lipids, sterols and other vital enzymes when bee bread is made by the bees). If Joe doesn't mind, I'll offer an answer as to a source for information about the adult honeybee consumption of pollen. See pages 56 - 61 (cc 1987) of "The Biology of the Honey Bee" by Mark Winston (ISBN 0-674-07408-4). Professor Winston goes into a fair amount of detail discussing the consumption and digestion of pollen by both larvae and adult bees. For instance, "It generally takes 1-3 hr for a pollen mass to pass throgh the digestive system. The digestive process is similar in larvae and adults..." If you're interested in honeybees and haven't read this book, I'd highly recommend it. It covers virtually all aspects of honeybee biology and is very "readable"....See MoreStrange Bee Behavior
Comments (5)Wow! Thanks. This is fascinating. Lou, I didn't see any aphids on the fiddlewood, although I do have aphids in my garden because I don't spray. Usually the ladybugs, green lacewings and hoverfly larva take care of the aphids for me. I'm glad to know about putting honey down for bees on the ground. Thanks! Carol, I'll bet the fiddlewood does secrete nectar. The bees were absolutely entranced. I have mostly average wild bees all over my garden. I have lately seen some sweat bees. They are really beautiful. I recently sprayed some beneficial nematodes in my lawn and I hope they don't bother the sweat bees who I think nest in the ground? Trini, that is really weird behavior. I never knew this. Do you think they are looking for particular nutrients? Thanks for all your answers. Very cool! Julie...See MoreQUESTION: About odd behavior of nesting Robins.
Comments (9)Wonderful pictures! I searched and found references to "Ceremonial Gaping" in robins. "Courtship includes courtship feeding, where the male feeds the female; ceremonial gaping, where the males and females approach each other and touch widely opened bills; and singing." Hinterland Who's Who Claire...See MoreOdd Bee Behavior
Comments (3)Thank you. I will look into this "nectaries" thing. Very cool! Thanks again, Julie...See Moreken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
3 years agodjacob Z6a SE WI
3 years agomxk3 z5b_MI
3 years agoprairiemoon2 z6b MA
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoMarie Tulin
3 years agoprairiemoon2 z6b MA
3 years agolast modified: 3 years ago
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)