In a message dated 96-06-21 03:42:44 EDT, [log in to unmask] (Dave from
Scranton) writes:
 
<< On Wed, 19 Jun 1996, Aaron Morris wrote:
 > I've noticed a lot of bumblebees this season, more than I remember in
 > previous years, and people with whom I share this observation agree that
 > there are many more bumbles in this neck of the woods (upstate New York)
 > this spring.<<
 
 <<      I've noticed this as well. The field next to my house has had
 numerous bumblebees, more than last year, and less than a dozen honey
 bees noticed in the past month. >>
 
 
    I don't know what the foraging range of bumblebees is, but I suspect it
is not far.
I've noticed in the past, when bumbles were a lot more common around here
that they were quite variable, with a lot in some areas, and other areas
where you didn't see many.
 
    Now you mostly don't see any, but occasionally there is a little oasis,
with a lot.
I found one of these oases (oasises?) yesterday.  It's an old fashioned truck
farm of about 20 acres, with woods all around.  Within this area there were
also three different kinds of solitary bees.  It was just like the "good old
days."  Perhaps these spots will serve to restock the barren areas.  But I
see cotton has been planted on about half the farm (rented out), and I wonder
if the the spraying will be done when bees are inactive, as it should.
 
   I think I will try to get a beeline on the bumbles and find the
colony(ies), when work slows down a bit.  I suspect it (they) is (are) very
close to the veggies.   I'll be surpised if it is more than one colony.
 
[log in to unmask]    Dave Green,  PO Box 1200,  Hemingway,  SC
29554
 
Practical Pollination Home Page            Dave & Janice Green
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