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Nests in the Ground?
This content is based on a post originally published on June 4, 2011, on my blog “Pollinators Info” (no longer online). I’ve had several emails from concerned folks who describe tens or hundreds of “yellow jacket” nests in their yard. It’s always a pleasure to tell them that yellow jacket wasps don’t nest that way,…
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What are Pollinia?
This content is based on a post originally published on July 23, 2011, on my blog “Pollinators Info” (no longer online). The fly in this photo is carrying pollinia on its right middle leg- they’re the orange things at the black arrow. The wasp in the featured image has pollinia stuck to two of its…
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How to “Get Some” if You’re a Male Carpenter Bee
This content is based on a post originally published on July 26, 2011, on my blog “Pollinators Info” (no longer online). Meet the Valley Carpenter Bee, Xylocopa varipuncta. I fell for these bees while visiting El Paso, Texas, USA. What just tickled me was that the males are golden-brown with green eyes! I stood near…
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What if There Were No Bees?
This content is based on a post originally published on August 16, 2011, on my blog “Pollinators Info” (no longer online). Someone asked me this question recently, so I thought I’d do a post about it. With all the publicity about honey bee declines, people are wondering what would happen if all the bees were…
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Nectar Corridors
This content is based on a post originally published on February 17, 2012, on my blog “Pollinators Info” (no longer online). What’s a nectar corridor, you might be wondering? This is the term applied to a route used by migratory pollinators, along which they travel yearly to feed and reproduce. There are migratory pollinators all…
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How to Keep Bees from Nesting in Your House
This content is based on a post originally published on October 18, 2011, on my blog “Pollinators Info” (no longer online). This post is in response to a question from Pamela. Like many people, Pamela has hummingbird feeders and has noticed bees (probably honey bees) drinking from them. Here’s her concern: “Are the bees attracted…
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Why do Bees Sting?
This content is based on a post originally published on January 18, 2012, on my blog “Pollinators Info” (no longer online). Animal behavior is a fascinating subject, and can be very complex, so what I’ll talk about here is a simplified version… First, remember that, as far as we know, non-human animals don’t do things…
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Mini Bees & Giant Bees
This content is based on a post originally published on January 25, 2012, on my blog “Pollinators Info” (no longer online). Bees come in an impressive range of sizes Read about the world’s smallest and largest here… Perdita minima is the world’s smallest bee, measuring only 0.08″ (2mm) in length! One of these bees would…
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Victoria’s Secret Loves Pollinators
This content is based on a post originally published on July 20, 2011, on my blog “Pollinators Info” (no longer online). Have you ever seen one of these? How about one of these? Well, ok, what about these? Free stock image Ah-hah! So you’ve seen the panties, huh? Well, now that I have your attention,…
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Bees in My Yard? Won’t They Sting Me?
This content is based on a post originally published on May 16, 2011, on my blog “Pollinators Info” (no longer online). The short answer is: probably not! Here are a couple of photos with bees on my hands- the left is a little sweat bee, and the right is a very large bumble bee. Many…
Athena Rayne Anderson 