Is this my bimaculatus queen? - Bombus auricomus

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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies (Hymenoptera) » Aculeata - Ants, Bees and Stinging Wasps » Apoidea (clade Anthophila) - Bees » Cuckoo, Carpenter, Digger, Bumble, and Honey Bees (Apidae) » Honey, Bumble, Longhorn, Orchid, and Digger Bees (Apinae) » Bumble Bees (Bombini) » Bumble Bees (Bombus) » Subgenus Bombias (Bombus Subgenus Bombias) » Black-and-gold Bumble Bee (Bombus auricomus)

Photo#296143

Copyright © 2009 Charles Dick

Is this my bimaculatus queen? - Bombus auricomus -

Mound, , Hennepin County, Minnesota, USA
June 29, 2009
Size: large

I found her on my flowers this afternoon acting very lethargic. It was all she could do to sip a little nectar ...then she just hung on to the flower. She hadn't moved an hour later when I checked. It was a cool and windy day but other bees didn't seem bothered. If it's my queen that I mentioned earlier, I'd feel very bad if something was wrong with her. I hadn't seen her out of the nest for a week or so...just the little ones. Anyway, appreciate the help.

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Is this my bimaculatus queen? - Bombus auricomus - female

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Contributed by Charles Dick on 29 June, 2009 - 7:26pm
Last updated 29 June, 2009 - 8:58pm

bombus auricomas queen

Well, a day later and she's still crawling around on the flowers. A honeybee hit her and she fell to the ground but climbed back up. She seems unable or unwilling to fly. The weather has been in the 50's and windy. I'm just like an old grandfather...(well, I am an old grandfather)...but I wonder if there's anything I can or should do. If you get a chance to answer this novice's questions, it would be sincerely appreciated.

… Charles Dick, 30 June, 2009 - 3:24pm

I don't think there is much you can do...

eccept let nature take it's course. This is likely an old foundress that got evicted from her nest, or just a sick queen.

You could offer her some honey (they usually always accept it) and hope for the best

… Vespula Vulgaris, 30 June, 2009 - 9:28pm

queen

Thanks for your comment. I find myself growing attached to these buzzers. If she's there this morning, I'll try the honey!

… Charles Dick, 1 July, 2009 - 5:14am

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