Thread by @the_beeguy

When talking to people about #bumblebees (which we do a lot!😊) they tend to mistakenly associate them with two things; honey and stings. We’ve covered the honey fallacy before so here’s a thread on stings to set the record straight Please #retweet for the bumbles.
Thanks.
1/11

#Bumblebees have the capability to sting for sure but being the docile gentle creatures they are they don’t like to use this capability - it’s their nuclear option! The ability to sting is a defence mechanism to defend their nest and themselves if they are being…
2/11
#bees

…persistently aggravated.
In fact #bumblebees have an early warning system which they deploy to try to avoid stinging you if at at all possible. We call this ‘the back off buddy’ system.
If you encounter/approach a bumblebee on a flower or perhaps on the ground or on your…
3/11

…window cill her first and preferred reaction is to fly away. To escape. To put some distance between you. Sometimes however if the #bumblebee is tired, low on energy or injured she may not be able to fly away immediately so you may have noticed in this scenario she will…
4/11

…raise her middle leg. This is her warning to you to keep out of her space. You’re too close, she feels threatened - back off buddy! If you move away she’ll lower her middle leg. All good.
If however you persist in aggravating her (which begs the question why would you?)
5/11

…she will often raise her other middle leg as well. So both middle legs raised is sending you a stronger message - seriously dude back off! Again if you move away the situation is resolved. At all times she will fly away if this is an option for her.
If you continue still…
6/11

to aggravate her - you’re not looking too good in this scenario - she will often flip over onto her back, belly up. This is not a display of submission but rather she is showing you her stinger in a final attempt to get you to back off - this is what I’ve got and if you…
7/11

…don’t back off I’m going to have to use it! And it will hurt!
And possibly more than once as bumblebees unlike honeybees have smooth stingers which they can use again and again - they don’t die when they sting!
Male #bumblebees will display the exact same behaviour.
8/11

However they are the ultimate bluffers. Only female bumblebees - queens and workers - can sting. Males cannot sting and do not have a stinger!
So you see #bumblebees are genuinely docile creatures. They only sting in self defence and even at that it is a last resort.
9/11

So don’t associate #bumblebees with stinging. Rather associate them with #flowers, #wildflowers and the wealth of #food they provide to us through pollination. Associate them with a healthy vital #planet.
And when you see that leg raise - #backoffbuddy!
10/11

Terms and Conditions:
Please Note -
Bumblebee stings can cause anaphylactic shock if you are allergic to them. Always seek medical advise immediately if you notice symptoms.

Please share for the #bees.
Thank you.
Go #gentle out there!
#retweet
#bumblebees
#knowledge
11/11