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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 Pyrobombus (Bombus Subgenus Pyrobombus) » Common Eastern Bumble Bee (Bombus impatiens)
Photo#296437
Bee with Prey - Bombus impatiens - female
Copyright © 2009 Isabel Cutler

Bee with Prey - Bombus impatiens - Female
Hendersonville, Henderson County, North Carolina, USA
June 28, 2009
Size: 5/8"?
I accidentally came across this scene early one evening on my deck. I've never seen a bee apparently killing another insect. The bee looked exhausted and was very sluggish. When I got too close with the camera it took off. I was surprised that it could fly. Would be grateful to have the bee and prey identified.
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Contributed by Isabel Cutler on 30 June, 2009 - 5:46am
Last updated 13 September, 2010 - 2:59pm

Beetle
It would be nice if somebody could identify the beetle or whatever it is. Hard to see. It may be Antherophagus but, then, it could be something else. We have many B. impatiens but few of these hitch hikers, and this makes this image more interesting and valuable. When we know more we should move it to the corresponding page.
If you happen to have a better close-up, please, add it.
… Beatriz Moisset, 13 September, 2009 - 3:18pm login or register to post comments

 
Better closeup?
Sorry...this was the only shot I got of this.
… Isabel Cutler, 13 September, 2009 - 4:43pm login or register to post comments

 
Oh, yes
I know the feeling. It has happened to me too many times to count. We are like fishermen and have stories of the one that got away.
… Beatriz Moisset, 13 September, 2009 - 4:54pm login or register to post comments

Beetle
Duplicate comment.
… Beatriz Moisset, 13 September, 2009 - 3:17pm login or register to post comments

Moved
Moved from ID Request.
… Ken Schneider, 19 July, 2009 - 10:22am login or register to post comments

Bombus impatiens
bees are not predators!
… John S. Ascher, 30 June, 2009 - 12:04pm login or register to post comments

Bee and Prey
Those are definately Apidea antennae. I don't know what was happening but it is very curious. This could be a female Carpenter Bee but not very sure because of photo.
… Gerald K. Watson, 30 June, 2009 - 8:44am login or register to post comments

 
thank you, John...
I am not a bee expert, so I'll have to take your word for it!
… Isabel Cutler, 30 June, 2009 - 2:25pm login or register to post comments

Bombus with Antherophagus


This is a female bumble bee with the Antherophagus beetle that attaches it self to the bee's tongue
… Vespula Vulgaris, 30 June, 2009 - 8:41am login or register to post comments

 
I guess it's the bee that's the victim ...
and not the other way around! Thank you.
isabel
… Isabel Cutler, 30 June, 2009 - 2:21pm login or register to post comments

Robber Fly?
It looks to me like a Bee-like Robber fly, possibly Laphria thoracica . Did it have only one pair of wings?
… Karl Hillig, 30 June, 2009 - 8:20am login or register to post comments

 
Bee attached to prey?
It all happened so fast I really don't recall anything about the wings. I just know that the bee was very weak looking - see the leg collapsing?
… Isabel Cutler, 30 June, 2009 - 2:18pm login or register to post comments

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