Almost every corner of the globe is home to a wide array of different organisms. But despite this diversity, there are groups of animals that share the most unlikely of similarities. Sticking to the UK, each week for 12 weeks I will test your skills in identifying 12 different organisms that share one characteristic. They can be a plant or a fungi, a bird or a mammal, a fish or an insect!MAGICAL MYSTERY QUIZ#8Clue: Meek club oboe cub.
If that is an anagram I will try Cuckoo Bumblebee.
Pete
Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can
Well done Pete, that was quick I had never heard of them until today, quite an interesting read about them as well.
Regards Shane
My Photos in Flickr.
We have been looking into bees quite a bit recently as we have a bees nest in the soffit above the bedroom window which is proving difficult to get rid of but too close to the bedroom window to leave.It is surprising how active they are during the night heard them at 3'30 this morning.
Ooh well done Pete, - Ah are they mason bees? noisy little beggers aren't they?
Caroline in Jersey
Cin J
The "experts" say they are a species of Solitary Bee but these are no loners,about 20 around at the moment.Hate having to get rid of things but as we are in a small estate of flats quite a few residents are not happy and as I am on a course of chemo at the moment the last thing I need is a sting.
Clue: Anti-social me? Why don't you buzz off!!
Congratulations to all of you who guessed Cuckoo bumblebee. First a bit about the clues! First clue: Meek club oboe cub. This is simply an anagram of Cuckoo bumblebee. The second clue: Anti-social me? Why don’t you buzz off! This particular lineage of bumblebees have lost the usual social behaviour often equated with bumblebees. Buzz off, obviously refers to the noise bee’s wings make.
Not quite as hairy as than normal bumblebees, Cuckoo bumblebees have more pointed abdomens and shorter tongues. Not only have Cuckoo bumblebees lost their usual social behaviour, but they have lost the ability to collect pollen. Instead they help themselves to that of other bees. Though there is no hierarchal caste system within cuckoo bumblebees, female cuckoo bumblebees will readily attack and invade colonies of other bees.
A picture of a Cuckoo bumblebee is found here.
Did you know that: there are 29 different types of Cuckoo bumblebee. The picture above depicts Bombus sylvestris.
Keep an eye out for next week’s mystery quiz!
Take care,
Claire
P.S: As I shall be away next week, the next mystery quiz will be on the 15th July.
Jennifer T said:P.S: As I shall be away next week, the next mystery quiz will be on the 15th July.
Good move, MrsT. Let someone else take all the flack. Have a good break. I'm going away myself towards the end of next week.
Congrats to Seaman.
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Tony
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Are we all away ? we are packing for a week in Northumberland