Finding the capped-off tunnels of native cavity-nesting bees is always a thrill for us at the SBG. Whether spotted in a constructed ‘bee hotel’ or in more natural areas, we love to see this concrete evidence of pollinator life cycles in our habitat! These little bees are important, highly efficient pollinators–but they’re often quite small, and can be hard to identify on the wing. Is there another way to get to know them?
Short answer: Yes! The many different species of solitary, cavity nesting native bees use different materials to construct their nesting chambers. For example, mason bees use mud–that’s why it’s a good idea to leave some areas of bare (unmulched) soil in your garden. The material that we see capping the nest can tell us a lot about who’s within!
The handy graphic pictured (created by the Planet Bee Foundation, www.planetbee.org) is a quick guide to identifying our busy friends in this way. So keep your eyes open, and you’ll soon be able to greet our busy little neighbors by name!
