Bumblebees missing

by Pasi | June 3, 2008 at 06:02 am | 300 views | 4 comments

May 2008 was very cold in places in Finland. There were snowing and sometimes night temperatures fall even below -5C. Before the cold weathers there were few bumblebees found here and there, but now I have not been able to spot even a single one for weeks. The flowers are blooming, but bumblebees are missing. I cannot remember similar cases (my memory is not that good) earlier.

I don't know if there is a connection between cold weather and bumblebees disappearance. I have not seen anything official about this, but I found similar observations and discussion from blogs. Example (in Finnish):  12.5.2008  Missä ovat  kimalaiset (Where are  bumblebees).


But the known fact is, that cold weather has already damaged blossom of the berries and other plants. Dandelions seem to do just fine, but the bumblebees are missing.


Related story 17.5.2008: Finland: Cold Nights Continue - Frost Threatens Berry Crops

Add a comment Comments (4)

Rob Walker
good stuff:

Pasi, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Pasi

Still today, I even spend some time outside searching for them and I did not spot any.

Scott D

Any new follow up? Last year in 2007, the US saw over 80% of the bees disappear. Im still trying to find out why and if they are back yet?

Pasi

They came back in June, but I would say, that there were very few bumblebees this summer.

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June 3, 2008 at 06:02 am by Pasi, 300 views, 4 comments

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