![orange rumped bumble bee orange rumped bumble bee](http://somethingscrawlinginmyhair.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Tricolor.bumblebee.side_-300x280.jpg)
This is why an ecosystem functioning in equilibrium (balanced populations) is so important. We must also consider the negative effect of cat predation on birds, amphibians and reptiles. Therefore, the greater the population of cats the greater the number of bumblebees and the greater the pollination of red clover. Was based on roast beef eaten by its soldiers, and cattle rely on clover, so as to conclude that the prosperity of the British Empire was thus dependant on its population of old maids." ( Charles Darwin, Humble Bees, Clover and Cats).īombus pascuorum (Common Carder-bee) on red cloverĪs most bumblebees are ground dwellers their existence depends upon the population of nest destroying mice whose population depends on the subsequent population of predatory cats. The presence of a feline animal in large numbers in a district mightĭetermine, through the intervention first of mice and then of bees, theįrequency of certain flowers in that district!" (from Chapter 3 "On the Origin of the Species").Ī logical extension made in jest by Thomas Henry Huxley (Huxley, 1892) was " that old maids keep cats, and by unknown others to include the concepts that the economy of the British Empire Number of cats that destroy the mice.' Hence it is quite credible that Humble-bees more numerous than elsewhere, which I attribute to the Says, 'Near villages and small towns I have found the nests of Humble-bees, believes that 'more than two thirds of them are thusĭestroyed all over England.' Now the number of mice is largelyĭependent, as every one knows, on the number of cats and Mr. Newman, who has long attended to the habits of The number of humble-bees in any district depends in a greatĭegree on the number of field-mice, which destroy their combs and If the whole genus of humble-bees became extinct or very rare inĮngland, the heartsease and red clover would become very rare, or whollyĭisappear. Humble-bees alone visit the common red clover (Trifolium pratense), as Tried, I have found that the visits of bees, if not indispensable, areĪt least highly beneficial to the fertilisation of our clovers but Indispensable to the fertilisation of the heartsease (Viola tricolor),įor other bees do not visit this flower. I have reason to believe that humble-bees are Remote in the scale of nature, are bound together by a web of complex ( Different pollinators for different plants) This he explains is because of it's unique ability to reach the nectar which eludes other bees. In the first edition of " On the Origin of the Species" by Charles Darwin (1859) he describes how essential Bumble Bees are for the pollination of plants and specifically the red clover (Trifolium pratense). With the help of 5 or 6 of his children between the years 1854-1861 Charles made a number of recorded observations on the flight routes of male Humble Bees ( Charles Darwin on the routes of male Humble Bees). I think like many of us Charles had a special place in his heart for Bumble Bees or Humble Bees as they were known prior to World War I. Their extinction will effect others species dependent on their pollination. Global warming and the increased presence of agrichemical toxins are conditions many species of bees will not survive.
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Bees have a very weak immune system and are not very adaptive to environmental changes caused by us. Dealing with aggressive bees requires knowledge of their behavior, experience, and the appropriate protective gear.This quote from Charles Darwin is applicable to present day bees. If their aggressiveness is causing people and pets to be stung, please consider calling an exterminator, who can direct you to the appropriate individual/company. Here's another good website on native bumblebees: They live in organized groups, with a queen, drones, and workers. This species of bumble bee is commonly known as the orange-rumped bumblebee, and is a species of bumblebee native to western North America from British Columbia to California and as far east as Idaho. Bumble bees were the featured "species of the month" in 1993 on this site. You can access some additional information about this species at this website. Michelle, the type of bee that you described is likely a bumble bee (Bombus melanopygus), a common bee that is aggressive towards humans and commonly nests in bird houses, mouse nests, or the ground this time of year.