Despite the insect house being old and rickety and a major attraction to the garden spiders, the leaf cutter bees have returned for another year. They are working in a frenzy. Hardly taking time to clear out the bamboo poles before they dive in lay an egg and seal the compartment. Some are already stuffed with leaves to the very top of the little bamboo pole.
The very first time that leaf cutter bees arrived at the insect house they were very slow in each activity; cleaning out each pole; resting on the fence or on the side of the insect house during the construction of each little chamber; meticulous in both the sealing off and tidying up of the end of each pole. This year the bees are carrying out their work in total abandonment and with a slap dash finish … I wonder why?
Leaf cutter bees constructing chambers – remnants of a wasp nest on compartment below
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8 comments:
That is fascinating. I've never seen anything like that before.
I really ought to put our insect house outside, but I'm not really sure where. I think it needs to be in a shady area but all the walls face south :-(
I remember them from last year, I guess.
I've never seen anything like that either, I don't think I would have had the courage to take pictures up close, I'm assuming you zoomed in on them lol?
that is so neat! {:-D
I would like to think that since they are back for the second time, they are more comfortable and familiar with the place already and thus they just get down to work immediately. :)
I have something small, but simialr in my garden that the bees are loving. Its amazing to watch them.
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