Dead bees with pollen

[jrshay]

Today, the temperature in Lees Summit, Mo reached the mid 40s and I observed bees leaving the hive for the first time in 3 or 4 days. I even observed bees returning to the hive with pollen. Unfortunately, I also noticed about a dozen bees dead on the ground in front of the hive. The dead bees had pollen.

Has anyone seen this before? Is it just to cold?

Please advise.

[DBeeCooper]

jrshay, I saw the same kind of thing a last week. I'm thinking maybe the bees were able to keep warm when they were flying home, but once they landed in the grass in front of the hive they got chilled and died there. So close, but so far...

[jdmidwest]

I have watched them land from a foraging trip and the abdomen was really pumping like the trip had taken alot out of them. They sit there for a minute, catch their breath, and crawl on in. With the temps low, they probably were chilled. Or they found some pesticide.

[wcubed]

The abdomen "pumping" is a body-warming mechanism.
Walt

[WVMJ]

Pick them up, gently warm them up in your hands and watch them crawl back into the hive? WVMJ