Garden Bumblebee

Bumblebees were introduced to New Zealand in 1885 and 1906 to fertilise red clover crops. Of the four species the large earth bumblebee, Bombus terrestris, our most common bumblebee, was found to have too short a tongue to do the job, which is why others had to be introduced. The garden bumblebee, Bombus hortorum has the longest tongue of all, apparently almost as long as its body! Unfortunately, this particular garden bumblebee was too busy drying herself off to poke out her tongue. Her hair is longer than on other bees and it needs attention after rain.

Another month without seeing the full moon. This morning the clouds were so thick and low that the predawn dusk persisted long after sunrise.