Mason / Solitary bees emerging from their cocoons

Opening the cocoon release box in the middle of the emergence phase on a hot spring day offers an insight into the interaction between male and emerging female solitary bees. Aside from the frenzy of activity - female nesting in the reeds on the left, and males hovering around the cocoons is the colouration of the three bees at the back of the box.

The females tend to be predominantly a rich golden colour, a number of the males tend to have a faded orange colour and, towards the end of the emergence phase I have spotted a handful of 'darker' almost colourless male bees. I thought they were another species, but then they tried to mate with the golden female Osmia cornutas (as seen the video) so I wonder if this isn't just a variation in the colour gene - a recessive one.
Normally different species (by general definition) cannot mate with each other but perhaps they are different confused in the general melee and their enthusiasm to find a mate... watch this space.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Cocoon emergence
• solitary bees
• osmia cornuta
• mason bees
• native bees
• insects
• wildlife
• permaculture
• beekeeping
• nature
• howto