Here's an odd question. . .

[MarkR]

In the past our lavendar has been visited by both honey bees and bumble bees.  This year, only bumbles. My (at least I'm fairly sure they're mine as I've followed a couple of them back to the hive) honey bees are all over my vegatable plants, and the white clover right now, but the bumbles seem to be leaving those flowers alone.  Do bumbles and honey bees just segregate themselves?  Is there some sort of competition thing going on?  Why wasn't this happening last year?  Granted, there seem to be fewer wild honey bees around this summer.  Last year I knew where three wild hives were, and now there is only one (that I've been able to find).  Anyone have any guesses?

Mark

[Jerrymac]

They get together at the local insect meetings and figure out all sorts of ways to keep us guessing while all the time it is just them messing with us.

[MarkR]

Hmmm, just as I suspected. . . .  :-D

[JP]

I have seen bumbles and honeybees working the same flowers before, but not sure what's going on in insect politics right now, my teletransporter is on the blink. :shock:

[doak]

Honey bees will pass over a minium nector to get to a better one.
Bumble bees are not that smart. :roll:
doak

[Dr/B]

Last week I actually had bumblebees trying to rob my honey bee hives.  First time I've ever actually noticed this.  They were not successful, as the honey bees were all over them, repelling them like crazy.  ........................go figure?