I was looking for Honey recipes and somehow managed to find some information on you and this site, how fun!
I too have a degree in Bee S. At least that's what I'm told. Anyway, my question to you is this... Do all bees have stingers? Out in front of my office here, there are a few varieties of plants bees like to frequent. I have noticed that at there seem to be a lot of bees just lying around on the walkway. They of course get stepped on by the dozens.
I know the people in the other businesses around here enjoy talking about the "quacky" lady out picking bees up off the sidewalk, I do! I hate to have them lay there and get squished. It seems to me that this occurs most often when it's cold out. I gather them up and bring them in the office to warm them by my heater. When they start getting feisty and "buzzing" around the room, I show them the door.
All that to say, I have not seen any stingers on these critters. They are very sweet tempered and I know it sounds strange, but seem to know I am helping and not harming them. Can't wait to hear from you.
Thanks, Kerry
Hi Kerry
As is so often the case there isn't exactly a hard and fast answer to your question.
The short answer is there are some bees which do not have a sting. In fact there are, world-wide, over 2,000 species of bees, many of which don't have stings. However I think it's most likely that what you're seeing are regular honeybees and they certainly do have a sting. Perhaps you could take a photo and send it to me if you want to be sure.
The reason they aren't able to fly may be, as you guessed, that they are just too cold. Honey bees are unable to use their flight muscles once the temperature drops to the low 50s. By taking them inside and warming them up you are 'jump starting them' so they can fly away. Once they are in flight, the action of using the muscles will keep them warm enough to function.
You could argue that rather than being a "quacky" lady, you are just being a friend to the bees. Of course you may be both! :-)
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