Is this a bee? Seems to like Dahlia pollen and nectar. And what is that reddish thing on its leg there? I have seen such a thing with the blue-banded bee as well.
CLOSED: Bee? Look at that red thing on its leg.
I think that may be a pollen basket, but I don't know what that insect is.
Is that basket in-built or does pollen get stuck?
Here's something that explains it:
http://www.bumblebee.org/bodyLegs.htm
FG,
That is very interesting and I had wondered why those have hairy or spiky legs. Thanks very much for the link. Now today I learnt something new.
I'm not exactly sure that is a pollen basket, but the leg thing looks to be the same color as the flower pollen.
You may be right.
Thanks for the link Flygirl. I knew what the pollen basket was but not really how it worked. Also, for those among us who carry no great fear of being stung, did you know that you could "pet" a bumblebee (the fat gold and black ones) while they were working a flower and they would not be disturbed at all by it? I was told that and have tried it several times this year and it is true. They just go about their business and ignore you.
Tetley, I'll take your word for it.....lol
Dinu, that must be some sort of bee then due to the baskets, I don't think wasp have baskets. And aren't bees fuzzy and wasps aren't?
They normally do not sting. Wasps are smooth bodied and hard looking.
There are some fuzzy wasps
Mmm.
Mike, you got me curious so I found one, this Velvet Ant, or Cow Killer, which really isn't an ant but a wasp and really doesn't kill cows. Names are funny:
http://bugguide.net/node/view/28212
Dinu, I think this may be your gal, Giant Honey Bee:
http://photo.bees.net/gallery/giantbees
You are correct, FG. Will check the bugguide link later.
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