Gifted local naturalist artists, Louisa Crispin and Jillian Eldridge, led this fascinating and informative workshop as part of Rye Arts Festival. They generously shared their artistic experience and skill alongside their detailed knowledge of bumblebees.
The group met at Rye Harbour Discovery Centre on Monday 14 September, setting off in search of some bees. Conditions were not ideal as it was cool and windy however ivy bees were busy, gathering nectar from this useful late season flower.
Jillian explained that the bumblebee lives in a communal group of the queen and her workers, working together to raise the brood. Early bumblebees may raise two broods in one year. Others who emerge later will only manage one.
The adult bumblebee has relatively species-specific food sources, in contrast to the more social honeybee which is a generalist feeder. This habit places them in competition with the bumble bee by reducing their food sources and putting local populations under stress. There are 26 species of bumble bee, just one honeybee.
Louisa introduced insect anatomy and many interesting insect facts. Did you know that there are more different species of insect than any other animal? Estimated between one and ten million? Ageing bees seem to share some characteristics with humans, such as balding and greying but with added complications such as shredded wings and lost legs.
The rest of the day passed using watercolour, pastels, collage or pencil to create images of buff, red tailed or carder bees, or even the hairy footed flower bee. There were discussions on the useful food plants such as primrose, verbena, salvia and single dahlias and even the darker side of bee life. Like birds, bees are beset by a cuckoo predator.
These large bees oust their prey from the nest and leave their own eggs to be tended by the unsuspecting host worker bees. Another aspect of the complex lives of these small but vital creatures.
Image Credits: Barry Yates / Sussex Wildlife Trust , Sara Dent .