The orchard mason bee is a gentle, beneficial insect that is useful as a pollinator of apples, cherries,
and other fruit trees.
and other fruit trees.
| The Orchard Mason Bee |
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The population of honeybees has been steadily declining due to a highly
infectious virus that has attacked the bee population across North America.
Additionally, areas where other pollinating insects seek refuge through the
winter have been destroyed from urban sprawl or agricultural spraying
practices.
infectious virus that has attacked the bee population across North America.
Additionally, areas where other pollinating insects seek refuge through the
winter have been destroyed from urban sprawl or agricultural spraying
practices.
For any gardener who grows fruit trees or plants squash and cucumbers,
pollinating insects make a great deal of difference in the amount of food they
can harvest. To overcome the problem, gardeners can attract the solitary
orchard mason bee. These bees are super-pollinators and their solitary nature
has allowed them to withstand becoming infected with the virus. The bees are
highly active early in the season, before most honeybees even come out of their
hives. However, they do not produce honey.
pollinating insects make a great deal of difference in the amount of food they
can harvest. To overcome the problem, gardeners can attract the solitary
orchard mason bee. These bees are super-pollinators and their solitary nature
has allowed them to withstand becoming infected with the virus. The bees are
highly active early in the season, before most honeybees even come out of their
hives. However, they do not produce honey.
This small gentle bee is a native of almost the entire continental United States.
Mother Nature's great spring pollinator, the orchard mason bee (Osmia
Lignaria), was pollinating the fruits and flowers of the continent for millions of
years before the first colonists brought the honey bee to North America.
Mother Nature's great spring pollinator, the orchard mason bee (Osmia
Lignaria), was pollinating the fruits and flowers of the continent for millions of
years before the first colonists brought the honey bee to North America.
Homeowners sometimes become concerned when they see the bee entering
cavities under shake siding or investigating nail holes or other cavities in wood
during April, May, and June. These are not destructive insects, since they do
not excavate holes in the wood. Therefore, no controls are recommended,
although holes may be filled with caulking to prevent the bee from nesting.
cavities under shake siding or investigating nail holes or other cavities in wood
during April, May, and June. These are not destructive insects, since they do
not excavate holes in the wood. Therefore, no controls are recommended,
although holes may be filled with caulking to prevent the bee from nesting.
The orchard mason bee is slightly smaller than
a honey bee and a shiny dark blue in color.
Males are smaller than females and have
longer antennae and an additional tuft of light
colored hairs on the face. The picture to the
left shows the male orchard mason bee.
a honey bee and a shiny dark blue in color.
Males are smaller than females and have
longer antennae and an additional tuft of light
colored hairs on the face. The picture to the
left shows the male orchard mason bee.
Females have hairs on the underside of the abdomen adapted for carrying
pollen. The female uses existing holes in wood for a nest. She chooses holes
slightly larger than her body, usually 1/4 to 3/8 inches in diameter.
pollen. The female uses existing holes in wood for a nest. She chooses holes
slightly larger than her body, usually 1/4 to 3/8 inches in diameter.
When the daytime high temperature reaches
57°F (14 C), the orchard mason bee starts to
emerge. The males emerge a few days before
the females. They mate and then the female
looks for places to lay her eggs.
57°F (14 C), the orchard mason bee starts to
emerge. The males emerge a few days before
the females. They mate and then the female
looks for places to lay her eggs.
She prefers to lay her eggs in small holes, often in tree trunks or fences. When
she has found a suitable nest, the bee first places a mud plug at the bottom of
the hole then brings in 15 to 20 loads of nectar and pollen which she collects
from spring flowers, including apples and other fruits. If you watch the bee
closely as she enters the nest, you can see the pollen on the underside of her
abdomen.
she has found a suitable nest, the bee first places a mud plug at the bottom of
the hole then brings in 15 to 20 loads of nectar and pollen which she collects
from spring flowers, including apples and other fruits. If you watch the bee
closely as she enters the nest, you can see the pollen on the underside of her
abdomen.
When the female has provided a sufficient supply of food for the larva, she
lays an egg and then seals the cell with a thin mud plug. She then provisions
another cell, and continues in this fashion until the hole is nearly full. Finally
the bee plasters a thick mud plug at the entrance, so that they are insulated
through the winter.
lays an egg and then seals the cell with a thin mud plug. She then provisions
another cell, and continues in this fashion until the hole is nearly full. Finally
the bee plasters a thick mud plug at the entrance, so that they are insulated
through the winter.
Some wasps and leaf-cutter bees also build
nests in such holes but their nests can be
distinguished from the orchard mason bee
nests by characteristics of the plug. The plug
of the mason bee is always rough while the
wasp prepares a smooth plug. Leaf-cutters
seal the holes with chewed-up leaves.
nests in such holes but their nests can be
distinguished from the orchard mason bee
nests by characteristics of the plug. The plug
of the mason bee is always rough while the
wasp prepares a smooth plug. Leaf-cutters
seal the holes with chewed-up leaves.
These bees are not aggressive and you can observe them at very close range
without fear of being stung, however, be careful when walking near the bee
house as male bees often swarm the female when she emerges and they tumble to
the ground. After this brief period of "romance", she will immediately start
her life’s work which is to make more orchard mason bees. This makes them
excellent for enhancing yards and gardens. They add beauty, activity and
pollination to our plantings.
without fear of being stung, however, be careful when walking near the bee
house as male bees often swarm the female when she emerges and they tumble to
the ground. After this brief period of "romance", she will immediately start
her life’s work which is to make more orchard mason bees. This makes them
excellent for enhancing yards and gardens. They add beauty, activity and
pollination to our plantings.
You can attract orchard mason bees into your garden by building your own
"Bee House" for them. It's easy and can be made with recycled materials.
"Bee House" for them. It's easy and can be made with recycled materials.
Read our article “Bee House” in the Cooking N Crafts section for
instructions on making these fun and simple bee houses.
instructions on making these fun and simple bee houses.
| For more information on raising bees, we suggest: |
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