dcross
04-25-2005, 12:35 PM
While going through a hive today, I noticed a few solitary bees hanging around the frames.
Then, I seen a two headed bee. On closer inspection though, it was a solitary bee(or imitator) piggybacking on a worker, and, well, trying to do what birds and bees do.
I watched for a second, the worker was reacting with raging indifference to the whole thing, then I plucked the rider off by the wings and let him go.
Did I see what I think I saw? Or was it parasitizing the worker with eggs?
Seconds later, I watched a couple of workers mob a smaller solitary bee, which wiggled away.
Then, I seen a two headed bee. On closer inspection though, it was a solitary bee(or imitator) piggybacking on a worker, and, well, trying to do what birds and bees do.
I watched for a second, the worker was reacting with raging indifference to the whole thing, then I plucked the rider off by the wings and let him go.
Did I see what I think I saw? Or was it parasitizing the worker with eggs?
Seconds later, I watched a couple of workers mob a smaller solitary bee, which wiggled away.