Insect and Spider Identification: CLOSED: I think this Bombus terrestris is infected with parasites.., 0 by bonitin

bonitin wrote:
Thanks Kniphofia!

The day after there was a bit of sun for a couple of hours in the afternoon and I've put the little greenhouse on top of a container hanging on my wall, took off the lid and gave it the option to fly off. But she didn't want so decided to stay.
I had to give it another wash as that morning she had tumbled into her honey plate, but this time I washed her with luke-warm water and a soft fluffy paintbrush, she didn't object, lol!

Since yesterday she seems to be vast asleep, I was a bit worried that she would have died but when I gently touched one of her legs it felt flexible, not stiff like it would be if she were dead. So I conclude that she has started her wintersleep. I'll keep her in her greenhouse in an unheathed room until February and move her then to my half-open garden shed where when she wakes can fly off and have a treat with the many specie crocus that will be blooming, easy access for short tongued bees!

Here she is in the sun on top of a mound of dry moss I have put in her greenhouse;