Are these Mason Bees?

mherndon · March 23, 2009, 07:51:02 PM

http://imgcash2.imageshack.us/img257/1597/dsc2350.th.jpg

http://img23.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc2346.jpg

They were gathering mud or water in a low spot in my yard and I also saw them gathering nectar off a red bud tree.

Mark

BjornBee · March 23, 2009, 08:15:04 PM

It's hard to tell from the pics, but it looks like it.

Try to follow them. They usually travel no more than about 200 yards from their home.

mherndon · March 23, 2009, 10:01:07 PM

They were blue-green and very dark. They had a nectar collecting mouth part. Some were the size of a honey bee and some were smaller. Had a little fuzz on them also.

Mark

BjornBee · March 24, 2009, 07:19:55 AM

I'd set out a can of tubes and see what happens... ;)

mherndon · March 24, 2009, 09:29:57 PM

Will Mason's come to lemongrass oil? I thought about building a hive. What is the quickest and easiest?

Mark

BjornBee · March 24, 2009, 09:49:27 PM

Mark,
Masons are solitary bees that nest in groups. Each tube is filled by one tube. Lemongrass oil will not work with masons.
Masons are very particular of where they will successfully multiply. You need a mud source, fruit trees or other early season pollen, and a chemical free zone. they are VERY sensitive to pesticides. One year you may see them, the next you may not. They will quickly move on each year to better nesting cavities if they are not happy.

Here is a standard tube arrangement in a can.

MrILoveTheAnts · March 24, 2009, 09:56:02 PM

Looks like an Osmia to me. I think they nest in tubes (one entrance!) that are 5/16ths.

http://bugguide.net/node/view/14967