Mason Bees (Blue Orchard Bees) in action

NOTE: I have updated this 2016 post in order to make it appear closer to the other mason bee information

Some images from this month’s activity of mason bees:

masonbeeonflower4 — Today I was glad to see them active on my red pear which hasn’t produced well in past years.

A female mason bee putting the final mud touches on sealing a tube

This male is just pulling out of the cocoon case

Mason Bees have a very blunt abdomen and a fuzzy thorax. They often rest near the nest box while warming up in the morning.