Dear friend of the bumblebees:
This is the current issue of our newsletter. Comments,
suggestions, and additional information are as always
welcome and can be sent to me (homepage) or be delivered in the forum.
Sincerely yours,
Cornel van Bebber |
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2.1. 2004's First Emerging Queens
Spring's first bumblebee queens normally become active
approximately 20 days after the last frost which
typically coincides with the yellowing of pussy willow
and finishing of of hazelnut flowers.
We've just had sightings of the first live queens this
week (Feb. 16th) in Neuss Germany, near Cologne.
Spring has arrived!
Last year many of our friends shared their bumblebee observations with us. Some queens emerged as early as February; some as late as April. We received reports from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. We hope to get more of these kinds of reports this year as well. Be
sure to share your own observations with us.
On this side you read (I hope, in german and in english), where this year the first bumblebees have emerged.
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2.2.Helping The Biological Station with Bumblebee Information In Neuss
 In the city of Neuss, people looking for advice on bumblebees now commonly address their questions
directly to Aktion Hummelschutz. As well, we are cooperating with the city's Biological Station by making ourselves available by phone. So far we have had no requests from the station, but have fielded many questions privately through our network of members.
Check out the map showing where our members are: Map with the members of the network
2.3. Halloween, Pumpkins, and Bumblebees
Recently, the American "Halloween" pumpkin has become
a German crop. Although not particularly edible
(except in pies and the seeds as a confection), here
in Germany the seeds are pressed for oil. It has been
reported via the Austrian "Kleine Zeitung" that
bumblebees were the sole pollinators of last year's
crop. Pollination is important not only with pumpkin
seed-setting, it also produces a well-formed
symmetrical fruit.
Bumblebees in agriculture (german)
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