Chalcid Wasp invading Mason Bee nest tubes

Check out this Chalcid Wasp injecting her eggs into mason bee cocoons. That's what I call an ovipositor! ;-)

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  Pets & Animals

[eccentricoldcow]

How comes the nesting tubes are sealed in plastic? Isn't that a recipe for fungus and mould problems? I have placed my few nesting tubes in the garage in an old bathroom cabinet with vents.

[OurNativeBees]

They aren't actually sealed in plastic. I quickly stuck them in a Monarch Butterfly bag of half netting and half plastic to get them out of the sun, and then saw this wasp. I store them in my garage also, wrapped loosely in aluminum foil to deter rodents, but I love your idea of using an old cabinet. You're right - never use plastic for your bees!

[solitarybee]

Hi. Great video and explanation. So how is the ovipositor able to penetrate so deeply? Is it a mechanical or chemical force?

[OurNativeBees]

As far as I know, it is strictly mechanical. It's just a very thin, strong, flexible appendage. Add that to the list of things we humans wish we could replicate - like silk worm silk and spider webs!

[eccentricoldcow]

Oh thanks for the quick reply, :)and I have a humane mouse trap in the garage too, as I store my bird seed and food out there too, and I've had the odd field mouse chew the plastic bin I store the grub in. I think I have seen a similar wasp in my conservatory last year, and photographed it. May have out a video on here too, will check that. Cheers