From: randy oliver

>>My best theory is that they are generating a bit of a positive charge so
the dry powder will stick to their pollen baskets

>Correct!  But it sticks to their entire bodies--they then groom into their
pollen baskets.  They do the same with a number of flowers in my area.



This is likely why ragweed pollen is usually found in pollen samples from
that season. I've never seen a bee visit ragweed, but the pollen is spread
far and wide, so the bee who sits on a leaf grooming herself probably picks
up some from her perch.

Dave Green
Retired

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