[artalis]

There is a large red taileded bumble bee on a cynara cardunculus in my back garden. It loves the pollen so much that it has camped out on the violet coloured flowerhead for two nights in a row, making sure to get every bit of it. At night it hides on the underside of the plant, before emerging next day to get some more pollen. Wondering if this is unusual bee behaviour?


Cynara Cardunculus is a close relative to the globe artichoke and is a tall growing plant with huge architectural leaves and purple thistle heads. The leaves are celery like and can be eaten ( need to be wrapped with newspaper for six weeks before harvesting) by either blanching first, stewing or eating with a salad/dressing. Old men in the mediterranean eat it raw, lol as they believe it increases verility.

artalis

[catman]

I have found the same with my sea holly. Absolutely swarmed with Bumble Bees, hover fly and all sorts for the past 3 weeks. A lot of them camping out overnight too : )

[artalis]

That's cool catman

There is an explosion of bees and hover flies everywhere, you are right...even saw my first blue bee a few days ago ( orchard mason bee )