In a message dated 22/11/05 22:41:11 GMT Standard Time, [log in to unmask]
writes:

<<What the British call 'Bumblebees', we call just plain solitary  bees. In
fact, our Mason Bee looks a lot like the British Bumblebees. We  pretty much
reserve the term bumblebee for the yellow/black striped bee  that looks as if
it covered with hair. From what little I know, I think the  Brits are more
correct than  ourselves.
Lloyd>>



We don't use the term for solitary bees, but for  the social bees of the
genus Bombus, and often colloquially for similar-looking  bees such as the cuckoo
bees of the genus Psithyrus.

    Regards,

    Robert Brenchley

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