| The orchard mason bee is a gentle beneficial
insect that has potential as a pollinator of apples, cherries, and other
tree fruits. It is found throughout most of North America, particularly in
wooded areas but often around homes in towns and cities.
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.
The orchard mason bee is slightly smaller than a honey bee and a shiny
dark blue in color. Males are smaller than females (Fig. 2) and have longer
antennae and an additional tuft of light colored hairs on the face. Females
have hairs on the underside of the abdomen adapted for carrying pollen.
This Bee Is Gentle
The orchard mason bee is non-aggressive and will sting only if handled
roughly or if it should get trapped under clothing. It is less objectionable
than the honey bee as a pollinator in urban areas and should be encouraged.
Efforts are being made experimentally to develop large populations of these
bees to use as a supplement to honey bees for fruit pollination, much as the
alfalfa leafcutting bee was developed for alfalfa seed pollination.
See this
web site for more information
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