A customer contacted Flow asking what bee behaviour this is. I assume it’s some form of self-grooming but I wonder if anyone on the forum has a good understanding of what it is?
Or maybe she’s just having a good scratch 
which is totally normal and such scrutiny is unnecessary.
Any other bee behaviours anyone’s unsure about that we can help investigate on this thread?
Good scratch plus some rigorous Pilates
I have to see if I can find the short video I took a few years ago of a forager perched on my hand, grooming her tongue! It was very interesting to watch. Regular maintenance, or did she have a taste of something bad 
I wonder.
i think it is grooming, as you say. They transfer pollen from the front legs through to the back ‘pollen sacs’ when they are in amongst the flowers. The hairs on the thorax also pick up bits of pollen and they wipe if off with the rear legs
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