I decided that since I do not have a hive yet, and I need to save up for equipment, that for the time being I would just read everything I could get my hands on and observe bees in nature.
My question is a weird one that I haven't gotten an answer for yet. When I was observing some bees outside my fiances house in the country, I noticed what APPEARED to be drones on flowers, foraging for food.
I know that sounds out of the norm, but they had the same color as honey bees, they had the big wraparound eyes like drones, so my question is, am I seeing some type of hybrid? Are these common? What do YOU think it is I'm seeing?
Probably some other kind of bee. There are many different kinds. Even flies that LOOK like bees. Bumble bee drones DO get nectar to feed themselves. Honey bee drones do not.
I saw the same thing and it looked just like a drone honeybee.
Every beekeeper I've ever asked says the same thing "Bee's don't forage for food", but I'm just tellin ya what I'm seeing.
I don't know how many HYBRIDS there are as opposed to SPECIES, but someone has to have an answer for this.
I think a picture would help you get the answer that you are looking for.
Dave
I have one hive from captured swarm and have seen no drones but was at another beek's house whose strong hives had plenty of drones. First one I had ever seen and it reminded me of some of the solitary wild bees I've seen before. Perhaps a leaf cutter bee.
Chris, I bet you saw some kind of syrphid fly, they are pretty big with those big ol' eyeballs like the drones. Beautiful and most wonderful day. Cindi
Syrphid fly on my honeysuckle and night scented stocks
On the night scented stock
(http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/6280/syrphidflyse8.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
On the honeysuckle
(http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/7703/syrphidfly2mx4.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
Cindi,
I've been stung by yellow jackets, wasps, and bees. I know the differences between them somewhat, but what you have here is pretty close. The first picture is really the closest one, but the thorax was more of a brownish yellow like honey bees.
Quote from: TheMasonicHive on July 28, 2008, 10:11:33 PM
Cindi,
I've been stung by yellow jackets, wasps, and bees. I know the differences between them somewhat, but what you have here is pretty close. The first picture is really the closest one, but the thorax was more of a brownish yellow like honey bees.
Sounds like a Horsefly, you can't fool one of those you know. Nor will you find feathers on a bullfrogs legs.
Quote from: Brian D. Bray on July 29, 2008, 01:04:13 AM
Nor will you find feathers on a bullfrogs legs.
Brian, are you sure? :( ;) :) :) C
Quote from: Cindi on July 29, 2008, 10:24:32 AM
Quote from: Brian D. Bray on July 29, 2008, 01:04:13 AM
Nor will you find feathers on a bullfrogs legs.
Brian, are you sure? :( ;) :) :) C
Yep, it says so in the song (vaudville act), it also says Horseradish makes and oyster cry. ;) ;)
The drone looking insect I saw did not look like cindi pic. It looked identical to a drone bee, not similar I saw it close up. I dont what it was, but it looked identical to a honeybee drone.
I watch any pollinators I see on any flowers and have for decades. I've never seen a honey bee drone collecting nectar.