Bumble Bees and Orchids

Mid to late May is the season for Pink Lady’s Slipper orchids on Long Island. At one time, Long Island boasted 29 species of orchids; I’m not sure how many are left. All native orchids are on the NY State list of protected plants. Some are very rare and only grow in one or two locations while others, like the Pink Lady’s Slipper, are relatively common and plentiful in certain areas. The bright pink flower certainly makes it attractive and easy to spot.

Like many orchids, the Pink Lady’s Slipper can only grow where a certain soil fungus already lives. This fungus helps the seeds germinate and thrive and without it, the plants cannot grow. This is a very good reason why attempts to dig up and transplant orchids usually fail miserably.

Even in a large patch of Lady’s Slippers, very few will produce seeds. Only Bumble Bees can push into the closed flowers and find their way out again. There’s no nectar in there, but they do brush against the stamen and pick up pollen. It may take each bee a few flowers to learn that they aren’t a food supply, but meantime they’ve pollinated a couple plants.

Unfortunately, our Bumble Bees are in trouble. They are important pollinators not only of these orchids, but of many food plants. One western species is already thought to be extinct. Bees are extremely sensitive to pesticides and are not only exposed directly, but indirectly through contaminated pollen and nectar. They require a constant source of nectar and pollen and the loss of the important flowering plants is also a factor in their decline (they like clover, for example).

Bumble Bees are not aggressive. You can stop and watch one and it will continue on about its business and totally ignore you. They tend to be very active in the early spring—but only in the daytime. In the spring when the queens have emerged and are just starting colonies is when they are most vulnerable.

Please help protect these native orchids—and their critical pollinators. Remember that even organic pesticides kill and don’t use even those during the day time in the early spring. The best way to enjoy them for a long time is to take them home in a photograph, not in a pot or vase.