Welcome to Mason Bee Basics More buzzzz for your backyard and orchard Billie Bevers

What are Mason Bees? Native to US 130 types in NW Non aggressive Solitary Super pollinator AKA BOB, OMB

Physical Characteristics Smaller than a honey bee About the size of a house fly Female larger than male Fuzzy Male differences No stinger White on face Longer antennae Gathers no pollen Blue/black in color

Three Types of Living Environments 44 Three Types of Living Environments 30% nest in hives (social) 40% nest in holes (solitary) 30% nest in the ground (social and solitary) Social – a sophisticated species similar to the honeybees. The members each have different tasks: getting pollen, being the queen, raising the young, foraging for food, etc. Solitary – There are only two positions; a male and female. Each female is a queen. Those insects that use holes; most find existing holes while there are a few that will create a hole Has anyone found a cocoon while lifting a rock in the yard? That’s a solitary bee! Algaia Blue Orchard Leafcutter Mud Dauber r Bumblebee Digger Bee Alkaline Bee

Fun Facts Females decide whether to lay a female or male egg. Females visit about 75 flowers per trip. 15 to 35 trips to collect enough pollen and nectar to feed one larva. Lays approximately 30 eggs in her lifetime. Mud dividers between eggs take about 10 trips to finish one wall. It takes 250 to 750 orchard mason bees to pollinate an acre of apples, It takes 2 full hives (60,000 to 120,000) honeybees to cover the same area.

Pollination Advantage Works in cool weather Earlier in the year Earlier in the day Pollen collected on body Collect pollen and nectar at the same time Males also pollinate 97% effective – plant to plant, tree to tree Prefers fruit trees

Life Cycle

Nesting – In the Wild Holes in logs, trees, house siding They don't create, just occupy Choose a riparian environment

Nesting – Your Space Creating for Your Space South, southeast, east facing Protected from wind and rain Elevate 3-5 feet Forage and mud close Plan for predators and parasites

Essentials for a Mason Bee Food Pollen should be within 300’ (100m) of their hole. Mason bees prefer composite flowers and open petals. Think “dandelion” and “fruit tree blossom.” However, they will get pollen from about any flower

What's in bloom in March Andromeda Pussy willow Vine maple Forsythia Big-leaf maple Oregon grape Hazelnut Indian plum Windflower Balsamroot Crocus Hyacinth Alder Pussy willow Forsythia Daphne Currant Skimmia japonica Heath Willow Salmon berry Elderberry miner's lettuce

Nest Building Mud A source within 20-30 feet of shelter 12121212 Nest Building Mud A source within 20-30 feet of shelter Should be more clayey than silty Create a mud hole Dig 6-12 inches Mound dirt beside hole Other examples online Mason bees don’t need water sources, just mud. They get their moisture from the nectar and mud. If your spring is typically rainy, then you probably have enough mud for mason bees to find on their own. CAUTION: Recent findings (2011) show that having the correct mud, more clayey than sandy is vital. …and a good moisture content. The spring mason bees can’t pick up gravel or dry mud.

Housing Preferences Non Toxic Material No redwood, cedar or treated Holes deep enough – 4-6” Holes correct size – 5/16” No gapes for light No white* ¾ inch on center* Straws a good option *Optional

More Housing Options Tubes and straws inside a protected structure Wood trays Natural reeds Teasel Sunflower stems Reeds

Predators and Parasites Birds Squirrels Raccoons Parasites Parasitic wasps Mites Beetles

Good Places for More Info snohomish.wsu.edu xerces.org homeorchardsociety.org gardening.wsu.edu crownbees.com sare.org/Learning-Center/Books fernandrosemary.com

Questions?