Massimo Mar 15
The bumblebee queen learns how to use the protective cap in less than 24 hours.
Show threadThe Tiller 🌈Mar 15
@Rainmaker1973 Very naive question: why is this cap needed?
Show threadthermonuclear small claimsMar 15
@swoonie @Rainmaker1973 I read elsewhere it's to prevent wax moths, they're apparently a real pest for bumblebee colonies
Show threadslyborgMar 15
@fullfathomfive @swoonie @Rainmaker1973 What’s to stop a wax moth from learning this trick?
Show threadTed Mielczarek
@slyborg @fullfathomfive @swoonie @Rainmaker1973 presumably the fact that they don't get to learn the trick in stages like the queen did.
Mar 15 at 5:21pmTusky
Show threadthermonuclear small claimsMar 15
@tedmielczarek @slyborg @swoonie @Rainmaker1973 I think the door is also too heavy for them?
Show threadUkeleleEric5d ago
@fullfathomfive @tedmielczarek @slyborg @swoonie @Rainmaker1973 yeah, if you watch, the bee pushes the cap up from below with the body. But a moth will be flying from above and doesn't have a substantive and prominent body above the wings even if got into the right position.