They like Apple jelly! - BugGuide.Net

Moved

Moved from ID Request.

I realize that this image primarily features D. maculata, but as the interesting comments pertain mostly to A. mellifera, I figured this would be the best catch-all spot for the image.

… Harsi S. Parker, 28 September, 2009 - 2:34pm

Thanks for moving some photos

Thanks for moving some photos to the right area-sometimes with mixed species which I try not to do very often-I have to guess or let someone else do it. :]

… Jo Ann Poe-McGavin, 28 September, 2009 - 2:46pm

...

I know one major reason they hang out near trash is to catch flies and smaller wasps. They also go for sweet stuff.

… Sean McCann, 23 September, 2009 - 8:55am

I bet there is a maculata nest close by

And yes, I also find the honey bees surprising! I was SHOCKED when I first discovered them inside the trash bin with all the yellowjackets. But now it seems they are always hanging around the trash cans in my area.

I wonder why this behavior is arising and if it is typical... I know there is a shortage of good nectar at the time of year but I have never known them to go in trash cans.

PS I see what looks like a V. maculifrons in the background ; )

… Vespula vulgaris, 22 September, 2009 - 6:54pm

I've seen scores of Honey Bees

on a cow carcass together with thousands of big Dermestes larvae (so some forensic specialist can tell how old that carcass was). Plenty of flowers around, too. Far from any beekeeper, but clearly Honey Bees, probably Africanized because it was in Arizona.

… margarethe brummermann, 24 September, 2009 - 6:58pm

With all the flowers around m

With all the flowers around my area it is surprising to see them here.

We seem to have a huge number of Honey Bees this year. 2 years ago we were lucky to see one!

I haven't seen any near trash cans just yet.

BTW-V. maculifrons is our most common species here. :] V. vulgaris is our least common.

… Jo Ann Poe-McGavin, 22 September, 2009 - 7:18pm

of course they do! meant to put it on the honey bees!!!

when i was a kid my dad would take some jam out in they yard catch a single honeybee and put it on the jam
in an hour there would be many bees coming and going
then he would put flour on their backs so he could see a white dot when they flew and watch which way they went
and then hed pick up the jam and walk that way, and the bees still on it would fly too and he could follow them home that way
when he found a tree he would rob it and we would have honeycomb, he only took 1/4 tho.
yum!

… shotguneddie, 22 September, 2009 - 6:40pm

cool story

Thanks for sharing the bee story. That's fascinating.

… Andrew Williams, 22 September, 2009 - 8:39pm

I wonder if that would work f

I wonder if that would work for the Bald-faced Hornets-I've been trying to find their nests.

… Jo Ann Poe-McGavin, 22 September, 2009 - 6:52pm

wow

I've got to try that! :-)

… Andrew Williams, 22 September, 2009 - 6:19pm

I was surprised but more so b

I was surprised but more so by the Honey Bees too

… Jo Ann Poe-McGavin, 22 September, 2009 - 6:27pm