[Pollinator] Bumblebee in spider's web rescued by other bumblebee

[Robbin Thorp]

Liz:
Good catch.  I agree with your take on the action scene of bumble bees and
spider.  The blurry video does not show the sting protruding from the
second bumble bee, but a bit of leg fortuitously positioned behind the tip
of the abdomen as you suggest.  If were the sting, it should be at least
slightly recurved upwards in this profile view, not straight as shown in
the video.

Regards,	Robbin
-- 
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Robbin Thorp
Professor Emeritus
Department of Entomology
	and Nematology
University of California
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA  95616-8584

Phone (530) 752-0482 (Bee Biology)
Phone/FAX (530) 752-9464 (Museum)
FAX (530) 754-7757 (Bee Biology)
Fax (530) 752-1537 (Department)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *




On 7/30/14 11:23 AM, "Liz Day" <lizday44 at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

> >Subject: Bumblebee in spider's web rescued by other bumblebee
> >
> >>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs_3FHh3z4o
>
>I'm not so sure about this. As nearly as I can tell, it does not
>appear to me that the second bee is aiming for the spider, or that it
>actually stung it. When slowed down, it looks almost as if the dark
>projection which is pointed out as being the sting might be one of
>the second bee's hind legs.
>What do others think?
>
>Liz
>Indy
>
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