Bumble Bee in Winter Feeding on a Dandelion Flower (Taraxacum vulgaria). Shows Infestation of Bumblebee Mites (Parasitellus fucorum). Mite on Plant.

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Large Bumble Bee (Bombus genus)on a Dandelion Flower (Taraxacum vulgaria) in February. This bee was active on a late winter’s sunny day. This individual is host to a large number of mites (Parasitellus fucorum). Many bumblebees have a mite infestation, most are fairly harmless, living in a commensal partnership with their host. These mites usually feed on nest debris including wax, pollen and small insects. They cling on to the bees at a certain stage in their life cycle to be dispersed. One individual can be seen amongst the petals where it will wait to attach itself to a new host and so to a new nest.

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Size: 5261px × 3667px
Location: Great Torrington, Devon, UK.
Photo credit: © John Insull / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No

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