Gross Insect Fact of the morning: here in the midwest, most “bees” are in fact European yellow jackets. Like bees, they huddle together in the nest for the winter, but unlike bees, they don’t store up food in the form of honey–they store up food in the form of European yellow jackets. As the outer layers of the huddle die of cold, they’re eaten by the remaining insects. By spring, all that’s left is the queen and a few workers–just enough to begin foraging and start the cycle all over again.
@puddleglum, I’m not sure about that. Most wild “bees”, perhaps. Most of the wild colonies have died out in the last decade or so, due to the Colony Collapse Disorder, that scientists are (maybe) finally beginning to understand. However, before that there were lots of bee colonies out there.
And domestic bees, of course, are mostly honeybees. Well, a few beekeepers have other types, which they rent out to pollinate crops, especially bumblebees, alfalfa leafcutter bees, and orchard mason bees.
LittleSister18 over 13 years ago
Ah sweet revenge.
niaje over 13 years ago
revenge is a satellite dish best served cold
Sisyphos over 13 years ago
Never try to trick the Trickster! Anansi rules!
mhs1075 over 13 years ago
Hey bees, have you ever heard the expression “what goes around, comes around”? Have a nice winter. (snicker)
Simon_Jester over 13 years ago
To the tune of, “Boris the Spider” by The Who
Dere he is up on da tree Ruinin’ your dish TV You tied him up wid’ his own thread Now, he messin” wid’ your head
‘Nansi da spidah! Crash! ‘Nansi da spidah! Crash!
mntim over 13 years ago
If you can’t watch TV, there’s always the worldwide web.
Charles Brobst Premium Member over 13 years ago
“Boris the Spider” by The Who: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8dSBWysmnM
prrdh over 13 years ago
And they schemed, and Anansi schemed: and Anansi is the best of schemers.
puddleglum1066 over 13 years ago
mntim: not if it’s the wireless web…
Gross Insect Fact of the morning: here in the midwest, most “bees” are in fact European yellow jackets. Like bees, they huddle together in the nest for the winter, but unlike bees, they don’t store up food in the form of honey–they store up food in the form of European yellow jackets. As the outer layers of the huddle die of cold, they’re eaten by the remaining insects. By spring, all that’s left is the queen and a few workers–just enough to begin foraging and start the cycle all over again.
bmonk over 13 years ago
@puddleglum, I’m not sure about that. Most wild “bees”, perhaps. Most of the wild colonies have died out in the last decade or so, due to the Colony Collapse Disorder, that scientists are (maybe) finally beginning to understand. However, before that there were lots of bee colonies out there.
And domestic bees, of course, are mostly honeybees. Well, a few beekeepers have other types, which they rent out to pollinate crops, especially bumblebees, alfalfa leafcutter bees, and orchard mason bees.