444 Handbook of Nature-Study 



LESSON CII 

 THE BUMBLEBEE 



Leading thought The bumblebees are the chief pollen carriers for most 

 of our wild flowers as well as for the clovers and other farm plants. They 

 should, therefore, be kindly treated everywhere ; and we should be careful 

 not to hurt the big queen bumblebee which we see often in May. 



Method Ask the questions and encourage the pupils to answer them 

 as they have opportunity to observe the bumblebees working in the 

 flowers. A bumblebee may be imprisoned in a tumbler for a short period 

 for observation, and then allowed to go unharmed. It is not advisable to 

 study the nest, which is not only a dangerous proceeding for the pupil, but 

 it also means the destruction of a colony of these very useful insects. 

 However, if the location of a nest is discovered, it may be dug up and 

 studied after the first heavy frost. Special stress should be laid upon the 

 observations of the actions of the bees when visiting flowers. 



Observations i. In how many flowers do you find the bumblebee? 

 Watch her closely and see how she gets the nectar. Notice how she 

 "bumbles around" in a flower and becomes dusted with pollen. Watch 

 her and note how she gets the pollen off her fur and packs it in her pollen 

 baskets. On which legs are her pollen baskets? How does the pollen 

 look when packed in them? What does she do with pollen and nectar? 



2. Catch a bumblebee in a jelly glass and look at her closely. Can 

 you see three little eyes between the big compound eyes? Describe her 

 antennae. Are they active? How many pairs of wings has she? Do 

 you think they are strong? Which pair of legs is the shortest? How 

 many segments are there in the leg? Do you see the claws on the foot ? 



3. What is the bumblebee's covering? What is the color of her 

 plush ? Is she furry above and below ? 



4. Can you see that she can bite as well as suck with her mouth-parts ? 

 Will a bumblebee sting a person unless she is first attacked ? 



5. Have you seen the very large queen bumblebee in the spring, flying 

 near the ground hunting for a place to build a nest? Why must you be 

 very careful not to hurt her ? How does she pass the winter ? What does 

 she do first, in starting the nest? 



6. In how many ways does the bumblebee benefit us? 



