Bee Nesting activities pick up speed
Today was probably the warmest day of the year so far (about time!). Took a video of activities inside and outside of the bee nesting box. You’ll notice one bee upside down in tube #4, resting and probably guarding her work, and during the film two bees entering into, coming out and then reversing into their tubes.
Here’s a snapshot of the sealed tubes (with a bit of post-editing). You’ll notice more have been finished in comparison to the first proper day of solitary bee activity, five days ago.
Here’s one more picture of three solitary bees ‘in action’; one resting after a hard days work in tube #4 (seen also in the video above), one caught just below crawling inside the tube and one emerging/reversing at the entrance to the tube.
Last of all today, a wee bit blurred because of my camera and the distance, but two pictures taken from below of solitary bee females merged to show them approaching the box. Better shots will come.
Tags: good day, solitary bees
July 16th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Really interesting pictures
Never thought taking them like that would be possible
could you please let me know the tube/pipe dimensions and where you bought them from?
thanks a lot
Thierry
July 16th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
The tubes give great access to what goes on in their life-cycle. Plus they are very unconcerned by my presence and camera. I bought several metres of PVC tubes from a DIY (Bricolage) shop, which I cut into the required length. I will try and tell you the dimensions in a few days as I am working away from the house where the box is kept (hence the now less frequent images update). I think they have a 11/12mm internal diameter.
August 19th, 2008 at 12:28 am
its great that you have such a lovely collection. question is how do you stop wasps annoying you? any ideas? cricketers are fed up with eating wasp sandwiches…… the pictures of the cocoons are fantastic! keep up the good work! Waspy…..x