Random Ramblings

Random Ramblings: Personal observations on a wide variety of subjects. Photographs of creatures and things that are taken on seeing the unusual as well as everyday things.

Murder?

A few days ago I went to check on the bees in the little Insect House as I usually do most every day. As I approached it I could see that all of the chambers were exposed, unblocked, missing of the vital plug that keeps them safe from the elements and other hidden dangers.

Insect House - Bee chambers attacked - leaf-plugs have been winkled out.

I got closer and found many of the tiny leaf circles that are used to make up each individual plug scattered on the floor below …

Circular leaf cuttings from the Leaf-cutter bee - some have tiny holes in the centre

Looking closely at the circular leaf cuttings I noticed that some contained a tiny hole in the centre. What could have done this? A bird trying to get at the young grubs? Another insect? I am still unsure.

Two days later I found a solitary Leaf-cutter bee working itself almost to death trying its best to repair the damage. So exhausted after its efforts it was camping in one of the bamboo chambers and there it has remained night-after-night. It appears to be guarding the nest.

Solitary Leaf-cutter bee repairing exposed chambers to protect the grubs.

Leaf-cutter bee plugs that have been re-applied to seal up the chambers after plugs were removed in an attack on the hive

6 comments:

Sandi said...

I find it amazing. What fascinating creatures.

Anjanette Young said...

Poor little guy, maybe its those mean ol Hornets...

Jan from BetterSpines said...

What happened? Are they all right? Tell, tell.

Auntie E said...

Maybe the eggs hatched the the little one flew away:-)Now the process starts all over.

Grampy said...

That is very interesting. Please let us know what is doing it. If you ever find out.

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