Bees arriving with whitish bodies

[JonnyPicklechin]

Hi all

Just been noticing bees returning from foraging with whitish grey bodies/backs. I have not had time to catch one and inspect close up. I am guessing this is a type of flower causing this? I am in West London, Twickenham way.

Comments?

JP

 

[protheroe]

Himalayan balsam

 

[For want of a better word]

Himalayan balsam

Along with the Hairy Frogs or whatever they are called... digging holes in the Thames embankments..an invasive species... thrives in a polluted environment it seems!

Yeghes da

 

[Erichalfbee]

Hi all

I am in West London, Twickenham way.

Comments?

JP

Blimey......I used to live in Teddington.
I thought it was awash with Balsam Bashers.
Lucky you

 

[Arfermo]

Himalayan balsam - marvellous for the bees and dragging in pollen and nectar by the bucket load. Maybe not so good when it blocks water flow etc in rivers? Notifiable nuisance actually - not that I would of course.

 

[JonnyPicklechin]

OK...thanks all. Now I notice it the foragers "affected" are coming from the river direction.

 

[oliverkelly]

Is this what you are seeing, as I was curious too.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[REDWOOD]

Keep an eye on your supers, they are packing it in around here, nearly all the bees entering the hive are white.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Keep an eye on your supers, they are packing it in around here, nearly all the bees entering the hive are white.

Aaaaarrrgh I'm stuck in the Canaries till Sunday and I think one box of mine might be short of space.