Queen Buff Tailed Bumblebee with Confused Mason Bee (Osmia bicornis)
2015_04_21_tues_224b - Buff Tailed BB and Red Mason Bee Osmia bicornis.
I contacted Daryl at Bumblebee Conservation Trust on www.bumblebeeconservation.org and he informs me as follows: -
"It seems to be a rather confused male Red Mason bee (Osmia bicornis), which is a solitary bee species, trying to mate with a queen Buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris). I’ve seen this happen with different species of bumblebee before but never with a solitary bee and a bumblebee, which is quite remarkable."
My original message: -
I had just lifted this Bumblebee up from where it was wobbling about and heading towards my pond. I placed it on this plant and suddenly a "Bee" shot in very quickly and appears to be stinging him. All this happened in seconds and the Bumblebee fell off this plant. I picked it up again and placed in on some Pear Blossom. After a few sips from the flowers, he took off.
Does anybody have any idea of what is going on please?
Queen Buff Tailed Bumblebee with Confused Mason Bee (Osmia bicornis)
2015_04_21_tues_224b - Buff Tailed BB and Red Mason Bee Osmia bicornis.
I contacted Daryl at Bumblebee Conservation Trust on www.bumblebeeconservation.org and he informs me as follows: -
"It seems to be a rather confused male Red Mason bee (Osmia bicornis), which is a solitary bee species, trying to mate with a queen Buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris). I’ve seen this happen with different species of bumblebee before but never with a solitary bee and a bumblebee, which is quite remarkable."
My original message: -
I had just lifted this Bumblebee up from where it was wobbling about and heading towards my pond. I placed it on this plant and suddenly a "Bee" shot in very quickly and appears to be stinging him. All this happened in seconds and the Bumblebee fell off this plant. I picked it up again and placed in on some Pear Blossom. After a few sips from the flowers, he took off.
Does anybody have any idea of what is going on please?