Petalcutting bees
Had two interesting experiences with petalcutting bees. One was a bee that must have either worn out her mandibles or was born with defective teeth. She tried and tried to cut some petal pieces from Sundrops but all she managed was to crush the petal.
The first time I saw petalcutting bees was when I was trying to get a big Curly Dock seedhead into a bag so it wouldn't spread seeds all over. It was already drying out and I had waited too long. I cut off the top and got it into a bag, but in the process noticed a silvery-white somewhat transparent looking larvae wigging at the top of the stem. I could see that the dock had nodes like bamboo so I cut below the bottom and took the piece inside. When I cut it open I discovered to my dismay, that there was a group of cocoons made from petals and a small bee that went with them.
Observations
Photos / Sounds
What
Silver-tailed Petalcutter (Megachile montivaga)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
I cut the seeds off the top of a Dock plant, and noticed a larvae inside the hole. Carried the section (has divisions like bamboo) inside to open it up.
This little bee was there. I tried to give him some flowers for nectar but he perished.
Adding the nest as a separate entry, but including with him as they were together. ID was what iNaturalist suggested--
So, was he a bee waiting for a female to come by, or coincidental?
Photos / Sounds
What
Silver-tailed Petalcutter (Megachile montivaga)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
Accidentally cut open this nest filled with petal wrapped cocoons. It was in Rumex crispus, going to seed and I was removing the top to prevent it from spreading. There was a larvae moving at the cut opening so I cut below the node to take it in and see what was inside.
There was the one adult bee that came with it. But it is male and he is entered as a separate entry.
Photos / Sounds
What
Curly Dock (Rumex crispus)Observer
wenatcheebDescription
Weedy field filled with Dock. Looked for more bee nests, and found some circular incisions, but not more bee nests.
Comments
Add a Comment