We usually have a lot of bumble bees in our garden, but this year we've noticed some new ones. Anyone know what they are? They are primarily on the cranesbill geraniums.
New Bees (not newbies) on the block
Here's another shot. It's not too clear but it shows the side. They're black.
This message was edited Jul 13, 2006 4:42 PM
I'm sorry, I can't see a bee in those pictures. Could these (if they are black) be biting flies?
Sorry about the pictures not being clear. Not flies. They are bees. Small black bees. Anyone?
LOL... they look like horse flies to me..but maybe it's because the pictures is hard to see...Have you tried google to find out??? :o))
Yup that looks like them...Not a good bee...
I googled and googled and googled. They're smaller than 1"--more like a half inch.
I have something similar in my garden but they nest in the ground so I believe they are a type of wasp.
I googled and googled some more. They might be small carpenter bees. Why are they bad?
Kristi......was in my garden today, and snaped this pix. I am wondering if its the same bee....it was pretty big. Long actually and not as fat as the bumble bee. Is this the same bee your seeing in your garden??
Deann
Thanks, Deann. These are darker and smaller and don't have that lighter part on their backs. Just another garden mystery I guess. :)
Kristi,
Carpenter bees are bad for the same reason carpenter ants are bad. If they get into your house they can be distructive. See if you can follow one home. If she heads for your house you should concider contacting an exterminator.
We had some water damage on one side of our house due to bad gutters. Didn't really notice until one day we heard a scratching sound in the attic. thought it was a critter for sure but the sound didn't go away when we tapped. Yup, we had bees in our attic.
Ooh. Thanks sunnysky. I'll be out there--probably not today. Too hot!
I think they are German honeybees, Apis mellifera ssp. mellifera. These were the first honeybees in North America. The Italian Apis mellifera ssp. ligustica are now the standard honeybee. In Cincinnati everything yellow and black is a "bee".
I am not up on my Latin entomology*. If ligustica refers to Ligurno, then that is where our egg factory chickens come from. In the US it is spelled Leghorn.
Larry
*Poetic license #BR-549
Where do honeybees go to the bathroom?
At the BP station.
Ack, I emptied some buckets and reaching over to empty another one I saw a flicker, as my brain instantly told me what it was, OUCH, it got me in the upper arm muscle!! MAN I HATE THOSE DARN ROTTEN #@##### THINGS!!! Guess I was in their flight path, thats all and they got me!! My arm swelled up and puffed and turned red all the way around!! I sure hope you do not have these rotten things!!http://www.focusedxterm.com/bees-wasps.html ,black face hornets. That was sunday, and my arm is still red and sore:( I am so thankful that my sweet grandkids were not anywhere around them! I am going to pour gasoline on the ground at dusk and set them on fire!
OUCH! POOR YOU!
These aren't hornets. Hornets are mean. They're all over the yard now (not a swarm or anything) and are as gentle as bumblebees. They're okay with me.
OHHHHHHHHHHHH, thas good to hear :) As long as they are gentle!! Yes, It's those darn hornets that are so aggressive and painful :(