Mason Bee ID
I set out a nesting block in March for Leaf Cutter Bees.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v735/mrilovetheants/Bees%202008/MasonB...
Well something moved in but it's using mud instead of leaves. Of course I don't care, but I am interested in what bee it is.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v735/mrilovetheants/Bees%202008/MasonB...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v735/mrilovetheants/Bees%202008/MasonB...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v735/mrilovetheants/Bees%202008/MasonB...
And a video of it working
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v735/mrilovetheants/Bees%202008/?actio...
They were only out there maybe 3 or 4 weeks, all but 6 of the holes are capped with mud and I'm pretty sure the bees have moved on and or died. Any ideas?
I don't know the diameter of the holes but I could find out... also when should I bring it inside? I understand parasitic bees will pray on them.
Can Anyone ID this Bee?
Love the photos! Jaz "zee" gardener
what state are you in
Different species occur in different locations.
It might help ID the bees if you give us some info about where you're located.
p.s. the photos are great.
what fun, a movie
I loved the photos and movie. It's still a bit hard to see some of the critical parts to do an identification. One possibility might be something in the genus Megachile.
I am in Somerdale, New
I am in Somerdale, New Jersey. Sadly I'll have to wait until they hatch out next year to photograph those key features. The nesting block holes were 4mm long, I don't know how deep they go but the block itself is 6.5cm long, can't be deeper then that.
If it helps out at all I'd describe the neighborhood and my backyard as a mixed forest area. Mostly Maples and assorted non pine (A Pine tree is in my yard but they aren't common here.) Plenty of fields around and lawns not frequently mowed. There is a small goldfish pond right infront of the nesting block. Not much was flowering here besides the blueberry bushes and strawberry plants. Of course the Maple trees flowered and hand an excellent year for setting seeds... they're actually the biggest weed in my yard now. A crabapple tree was also adjacent and flowered.
Lots of bare patches in my yard and a very low population of ground nesting bees of similar size too.
Do Megachile genus bees use mud at all. I didn't see any leaves being cut or taken into the holes.
Check with your county extension service
From what I've gleaned from the web, Megachilidae include Leaf Cutters and Mason Bees. What you have may be a Japanese hornfaced bee (osmia cornifrons). They're described as 'fuzzy' and use nest boxes like yours. Capture one in the spring and take it to your county agricultural extension service. There's a web site for NJAES - part of RU (New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station) http://njaes.rutgers.edu/ where you can look up your county office and get their phone number. They like to keep track of things like this.
I just made a couple of bee boxes made of PVC and lined with butcher paper. I'm hoping to attract the Maine Blueberry Bee - osmia atriventris - a leaf cutter. The USDA has been experimenting with them in South Jersey cranberry boggs as an alternative to honey bees. Here in Central Jersey they go for the blueberry bushes.
I'm encouraged by your results. Hope I do as well.