South Dakota Bumble Bees's Boletim

Early this spring I was seeing Hunt's bumble bees everywhere I went. Now I never see one. Wonder where they are and what they are doing??

Not really attack, but rather, there are males out and about now. Males coloration may be extremely varied, and differ from females. I just took a photo of a American BB drone, and was unsure if it was even a bumble bee. The eyes can be very different from females. When I comment on a photo, I will try to justify my ID. I may be wrong, but I hope my train of thought makes sense. If you are one of the bee experts, I value any input you have on be ID, and why my ID is wrong.

Please keep snapping photos, and posting them here.

Dan

We are in the back half of August, and the community has added 3 BB species to the South Dakota Inaturalist list, included Western Bumble bee. Thanks to everyone who is actively taking photos, and looking for that one bee that seems just a little bit different. Bumble bees shiver, allowing them to raise their body temperature and remain active when it is too cold for other species. If you are out early in the morning, the bees will allow you to get VERY close for photos. Please remember to get several angles, including the top of the abdomen, the full face, if possible, and a good side view with legs included. Have fun, and keep posting those quality photos!!

Dan

Yesterday I was trying to get a photo of a bumble bee and it landed on a plant stem, went down the stem and disappeared into the grass. Must have been time for a break. It was a hot day.