[Pollinator] Fwd: Bumblebee Behavior

[Nancy Lee Adamson]

Any suggestions to explain this bumble bee behaviour?  I've had bumble bees "pooling" around the base of a squash flower (barely moving), 6 to 8 or more (was thinking a dozen) near the end of summer, but have never seen this.

Thanks!

Nancy

Begin forwarded message:
> 
>> From: Dennis Burnette <deburnette at triad.rr.com>
>> Date: August 1, 2013, 7:47:31 AM CDT
>> To: Nancy Adamson <nancy.adamson at gnb.usda.gov>
>> Cc: Anne Long <apllpa at yahoo.com>
>> Subject: Bumblebee Behavior
>> 
>> Hi Nancy,
>> 
>> I have a question about bumblebee behavior. I friend sent me the attached
>> photo. She said, "I was picking blueberries today and on ONE blueberry were
>> 10 small bumblebees! And even yet another one came in to join while I held
>> them!" I'm wondering what to make of that congregation. Is it possible that
>> a female was in the center of the mass and all the others were males that
>> were attracted by her pheromones?
>> 
>> Thanks,
>> 
>> Dennis
>> 
>> 

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