Post by @thebeeguy@mastodon.ie

2026-10-04 13:39 UTC

You’ve been seeing very large #bumblebees on the wing for the past while. Why? Okay I’ll tell you why in this quick thread if you promise to #repost as the more people who know that these are queens the more likely that someone will help some out meaning more colonies next year. Deal? 1/15 #bees #nature #environment #insects #biodiversity #science #wildlife #autumn #education

Replies (7)

@thebeeguy@mastodon.ie 2026-10-04 13:40

And every colony counts! Spoiler alert: The big #bumblebees around in Autumn are new queens. They’re feeding up before hibernating. It’s vital they have access to forage. If you find one trapped in a poly tunnel/in your house let her out quickly - every queen that survives is… 2/15

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@elliek@zeroes.ca 2026-10-04 13:57

@thebeeguy@mastodon.ie Done! (Boosted).

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@Wyatt_H_Knott@mastodon.sdf.org 2026-10-04 14:03

@thebeeguy@mastodon.ie I have been only very occasionally mowing this year, and have been rewarded with a HUGE amount of Asters blooming, which are COVERED in big ol' bumbles 😍

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@atlovato@mastodon.social 2026-10-04 16:08

@thebeeguy@mastodon.ie 👍

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@halla@kde.social 2026-10-04 17:45

@thebeeguy@mastodon.ie Boosted for everyone who _has_ seen these elusive queens... But I haven't seen a single bumble bee all summer.

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@kristenhg@mastodon.social 2026-10-04 18:08

@thebeeguy@mastodon.ie I have had two big girls fly through the wide open door and into my backyard office this week, but they got themselves out pretty quickly. I didn't even have to show them where the exit was. Thanks for the info!

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@gelsomore645@social.vivaldi.net 2026-10-04 21:12

@thebeeguy@mastodon.ie Thank you very much! Now I know a future queen visits the flowers of my bonsai everyday 🥰

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