Bumblebees are common in the U. S. , so you may be accustomed to seeing a few in your yard during the warm months. However, having lots of bumblebees in your yard may be more of a surprise. There may be a lot of bumblebees around your house. This post will talk about why and if you should be worried about these bugs.
You may have noticed bumblebees occasionally hovering or lingering in one spot either over a flower or in open space. While this behavior can seem peculiar there are some fascinating reasons why bumblebees maintain these stationary hover positions.
Hovering Over Flowers
One of the most common reasons you’ll see a bumblebee hovering in place is when it’s assessing a flower. Bumblebees have specialized compound eyes that allow them to identify details we can’t see.
These compound eyes can detect ultraviolet light reflected by flowers, which helps bees zero in on the richest nectar sources The UV ‘landing strips’ on petals guide bees right to the sweet spot
So when a bumblebee hovers over a flower, it’s likely carefully inspecting the bloom using its UV vision before deciding to land and feed. The hover pause allows it to evaluate each flower’s viability and quality before expending energy.
Smart bumblebees want to maximize their nectar haul while minimizing effort. Hovering gives them a chance to thoroughly scan flowers first.
Waiting to Mate
Another reason you may see male bumblebees lingering in one area is that they are waiting for potential mates.
Male bumblebees can be highly territorial over a specific zone. They will fiercely guard this spot while watching for female bumblebees to pass through.
When a female does enter their space, the male will quickly move in to investigate. If it’s a female of his species, he will try to mate. Any rival males will be chased off aggressively.
So next time you see a male bumblebee hovering in a fixed position there’s a good chance he’s on the lookout for love!
Guarding the Nest
Male carpenter bees exhibit similar territorial hovering behavior for a different purpose – guarding their nests.
While female carpenter bees focus on raising young inside the nest, males take up hovering patrol just outside the entrance. Their large size serves as an effective deterrent against potential predators.
Much like the hovering male bumblebees, carpenter bee males will aggressively defend their territory, seeing off any encroaching insects or other animals. This hovering sentry duty helps keep the nest and their potential mates protected.
Thermoregulation
Interestingly, scientists have also discovered that bees sometimes hover specifically to regulate their body temperature.
Bees are ectotherms, meaning they rely on external heat sources to control their temperature. Hovering allows air to circulate around their bodies for rapid heating or cooling when needed.
By hovering, bees can precisely adjust their thoracic temperatures to maintain ideal flying conditions. This explains why bees may linger in sunny spots on cooler days before venturing out to forage.
Identifying Threats
Finally, hovering may allow bees to cautiously identify possible threats before approaching. Their vision detects movement exceptionally well at close distances.
By holding a position, bees can observe objects like animals or people that have entered their territory. If the beings move away, the coast is clear. Quick movements may indicate a predator, triggering an escape.
So next time you notice a bumblebee hovering around you, it’s simply gauging if you’re safe to be near before approaching any closer. No need for alarm!
Support Your Local Bumblebees
Now that you understand some of the science behind bumblebee hovering, you can appreciate this behavior for the remarkable adaptation it is.
Their hovering demonstrates the complex ways bumblebees interact with their environment using finely tuned senses we humans lack.
You can support local bumblebees by planting bee-friendly flowers they can benefit from. Opt for varieties with ultraviolet markings to make it easier for them to locate the flowers.
Avoid pesticides and provide fresh water sources to create an even more bee-inviting space. With a few small changes, our gardens can become a hover-happy haven for bumblebees.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hovering Bumblebees
Why do bumblebees hover over me?
Bumblebees may cautiously hover around people to assess if they pose a threat before flying closer. Bright clothing colors or sweet scents can also initially attract them in.
How long can a bumblebee hover?
Bumblebees have high metabolisms and must eat regularly to fuel their flight. They can typically hover between 5-15 minutes before needing to rest and refuel. In cooler weather, their hover time is reduced.
Do bumblebees sleep while hovering?
No, bumblebees do not sleep while hovering or flying. When resting, bumblebees will land on a surface. They enter a low-energy sleep state but remain lightly poised to react to threats.
Can hovering be harmful to bumblebees?
Excessive hovering can overwork a bumblebee’s muscles and deplete its energy reserves. But when done moderately, it’s an essential behavior for finding food, mates and assessing threats. Natural hovering is not harmful.
What flowers do bumblebees prefer?
Bumblebees are attracted to flowers with bright colors, ultraviolet patterns, wide landing pads, and abundant nectar/pollen. Some favorites are snapdragons, foxgloves, poppies, daisies, and sage.
So next time you spot a hovering bumblebee, take a moment to appreciate the unique abilities and survival strategies of this captivating pollinator. Their hovering behaviors provide a glimpse into the hidden world of bees!
Do bumblebees live under decks?
Bumblebees certainly can live under decks because they like dark spaces. A single colony of bumblebees can be home to a few hundred insects, so you would likely see them flying around your yard if they take up residence below your deck.
Why are there so many bumblebees around my house?
It’s likely that the bumblebees that live in your yard and near your house have found a place to live nearby. Unlike more solitary flies, bumblebees are social insects that form colonies. A lot of bumblebees will be near your home if a colony builds a nest there. You’ll be more likely to see them flying around.
There are common places you may find bumblebee nests, like:
- Under dense shrubs
- In rock piles
- Beneath compost heaps
- In empty rodent holes
- Other dark, hidden places
Bees may be all over your yard even if they haven’t made a nest there if you have flowering plants or herbs in your garden or landscaping beds. Bumblebees collect pollen from plants like chives, coneflowers, spearmint, sedum, and nasturtiums or from weeds like dandelions.