Bees coated with pollen

[nella]

Some of the bees are returning to the hive coated with a light gray pollen. Dose anyone know what plant the pollen is from? From a distance they looked like moths going in the hive! Left click on picture to enlarge it.



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[L Daxon]

Are you sure that is pollen?  Looks like one of my bees after a powdered sugar shake.

[lenape13]

It could be someone's attempt at beelining.

[nella]

I have two hives and about 1/4 of the  bees in both hives were coming back with the coating on them about 2pm. I will watch today and see what happens.

[Michael Bach]

More than likely it is jewel weed.  The bees go deep into the flower looking for nectar and brush past the stamen.

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/128687/