An observation today. Made in a town on the central Illinois/Wisconsin border named Beloit.

[Half-Century Man]

My wife substitutes newspaper routes for family friends from time to time. We were filling in for an injured friend this week. On his route yesterday (temp about 78 F) I had to reach over a flower bed to put a paper in a curbside box. I noticed the clusters of tiny flowers were covered in Bees moving around. As I am allergic to Bee venom, I watch for them.
Today, at the same house, The Bees were sitting on the flower clusters barely moving (temp about 55 F). I had to investigate. At the risk of my health I went back and counted the lethargic Bees on the flower clusters. 52 Bees stood barely moving their wings. Flicking the stem to shake the Bees had no effect on them. I could get no reaction from them.

I have a limited knowledge of Bees. I know of the threats to the American Bee populations, but might the rapid temperature change also account for the stranded bees? As this was the warmest part of the day, that means they would have had to returned to the flowers this morning when it was cooler, and then become unable to move. That seems unlikely, I fear they may have spent the 24 hr interval dying on the flowers.
Any Ideas?

[murielm99]

1. I think it may have to do with the

rapid temperature change. I am not that far from Beloit. Things cooled off quickly here. I have noticed quite a few sluggish flies, too. Some of the toads in my yard are not acting very normally, either.

Let's hope that is what you were seeing. Let's hope for a few more warm days, too!

[marym625]

2. interesting

Just did a little reading about it and they do become immobile when temperatures are in the lower 50s. And the other day, the temperature sure dropped quickly. I'm in Chicago and the difference from the day before yesterday and yesterday was ridiculous.

Nest observation but not worth your life