I installed my Orchard Mason bee house right off my back porch, about 4 feet above ground … for easy observation. These are docile bees. They’re solitary and don’t have a queen or hive to defend. While they don’t have the range of the honey bee — bee for bee, they are far superior pollinators.
I’ve read that the males only live a few days but I’ve seen male bees at the entrance of the tubes for at least 6 weeks. I have no idea just how they mate but the males have been hanging out at the tube entrances for several weeks now.
Thanks to Seabrooke Leckie’s post I know they’re males because of the prominent yellow “nose-fluff”.
In contrast, the females are larger and have far less fluff. I can’t say that she’s much to look at.
PS — no more males are seen these days. Once their “job” is done, their raison d’etre is fini … and they die.
This must be so fascinating to watch. I’ve enjoyed your posts thus far on your new bee project.
How neat! I need to look into actually making a nest “box” for them myself, it would be fun to watch. As it is, I think they nest in the cracks in the logs of our house. Thanks for the mention!
“Once their “job” is done, their raison d’etre is fini … and they die.”
You needn’t sound so enthusiastic. 😦 It shrivels my naughty bits!!
I daresay the “enthusiasm” is entirely your projection. Nature can be rather ruthless in these matters. On the other hand, the female’s only job is to make and feed babies. Then she croaks.
I feel better already! 🙂
Great photographs – our mason bees have been very active the last couple of days but they seem to be a little later than previous years. I’m trying to get some good photographs of them but they’re not really cooperating! We’ve got a box up but they are also using the woodshed for nesting places as well. Nice post!
Dave
I’ve got one mudded up tube so far. I found a spider in the nest box so hope it won’t do any damage before I put up the predator guard.