#insecthotel — Public Fediverse posts

Grass-carrying wasp (probably Isodontia mexicana) inside her nest at one of my insect hotels. Second pic is deeper in the nest and shows the paralyzed tree crickets (Oecanthus sp.) that are food for her progeny. #InsectHotel #wasps #hymenoptera #crickets #insect #nature #entomology

Isodontia mexicana, a grass-carrying wasp that provisions nests with paralyzed tree crickets. This individual emerged from a cocoon that was in the observation panel of my insect hotel. I'm hoping this year that some will move into the pitcher plant (Sarracenia sp.) that I have growing in my new mini pond. Because apparently they do that. #InsectHotel #wasps #crickets #insects #sarracenia

Five second video of a parasitic cuckoo wasp at one of my insect hotels. I love how their antennae are always in motion. And their huge eyes. And their metallic color. But huge pain to ID. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #CuckooWasp #chrysididae #insects #bees #wasps

Earlier this week I noticed that one of the Georgia mason bees (Osmia georgica) at the front-yard insect hotel had capped off her nest. They use masticated leaves and nectar. Not sure what the white things are. She's since moved on to another paper straw. So busy! #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #insects #pollinators #osmia

Yesterday I moved one of the many rotting logs in my yard into a raised bed so I can more easily photograph the insects that make nests inside decaying wood. It joins the pre-existing snail-shell arena, insect hotel, and bird bath. The first visitor arrived at the log within minutes. #InsectHotel #log #tree #halictidae #insects #garden

Georgia mason bee (Osmia georgica) exiting her nesting tunnel after depositing a load of pollen. I don't think I've ever seen one on any of the flowers in my yard but they are supposed to be generalists. That said, it's reported (by Paula Sharp & Ross Eatman) that they adore fleabane, positioning their head in the center of the flower and spinning around. #MasonBee #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #osmia #bee #bees #insect

Found this Houdini fly (Cacoxenus indagator) lurking around one of my bee hotels today. They are kleptoparasites of mason bees (Osmia spp.) and are not native to North America. They are the number one reason why nesting tubes in my area (Pennsylvania) should be cleaned during the winter. BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THEM. #BeeHotel #InsectHotel #MasonBees #bee #bees #flies #diptera #inaturalist #insects

Short clip of a female Osmia foraging for clay in my yard. The first two spots were not sufficiently wet, I think. If you can't find mud in your yard you can buy it online. But I bet if you asked your friends, *somebody* can set you up. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #insects #wasps https://youtu.be/JLkVsTcFUyc?si=vl3cnAqfjKDcdkfV

This might be a record for me: 16 mason bee cocoons in a single nesting tube. The ones on the left are larger and likely all females. The smaller ones on the right are males, who emerge first and then wait for females to come out. It's really cool how hymenopterans can control the sex of eggs they lay (males are from unfertilized eggs). Osmia georgica. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #cocoons #insects #pollinators #hymenoptera #osmia #haplodiploidy

It was cold yesterday so the mason bees just chilled in the nesting holes, watching me with boredom as I did yard work. Hitting 65 °F today so that should change. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #insects #pollinators

Just a man roasting a hot dog on a burning bee hotel. These cheapo ones made with bamboo cannot be cleaned and thus are only good for propagating mites and Houdini flies. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #insects #pollinators #canada #vancouver #bamboo https://www.instagram.com/p/CHJMuEvnKTy/

Just another scene from the observation wing of my backyard insect hotel. I don't know whether they turn around after entering or whether they back in. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #osmia #insects

Visual guide to pests of mason bees. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #insects #osmia #wasps #mites #parasites https://extension.psu.edu/enemies-of-mason-bees

Missing from the above site is the answer to, "How do I clean a bamboo insect hotel?" The answer, of course, is that you can't — there's no easy way to open them, plus they are often glued in place. And if bees are nesting in the same stems year after year, so are Houdini flies, parasitic wasps, mites, dermestid beetles, fungi, and bacteria. Sure, your local bees will keep using the bamboo and everything *appears* peachy, but if you split one open you'd likely find it loaded with things that are making the bees sad. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #ParasiteHotel #bees #insects #bamboo

Just an example of an insect hotel you should never, ever buy. The jagged ends of the reeds can damage the wings of mason bees as they try to back out. Splinters might even trap them inside. Manufactured by Dobar (Gronau, Germany) and sold by Lidl. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #insects #pollinators #lidl

Huge compilation of tips for maintaining an insect hotel, by Elsa Youngsteadt and Meredith Favre. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #wasps #insects #pollinators #pollination https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/how-to-manage-a-successful-bee-hotel

Video of a female mason bee (Osmia sp.) backing out of a tunnel at my insect hotel. This is the observation wing (pulls out and has plexiglas cover) so I'd be delighted if she chose to nest there. #BeeHotel #InsectHotel #bees #insects #pollinators #osmia

In bee news, male Osmia are showing up at the insect hotel in my back yard (Swarthmore, PA, USA). The females never choose to use these tunnels, sadly, opting instead for the smaller, paper-lined cavities in the wood blocks. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #MasonBees #bees #nature #pollinators #insects

The observation panel on my insect hotel has been cleared of last year's occupants (grass-carry wasps), sterilized, and reassembled for a new season. Need to get myself a neon VACANCY sign. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #wasps #insects #pollinators

De rosse metselbij/Osmia bicornis/l'osmie rousse/red mason bee is out! She's looking for pollen and places to depose new eggs.
The bamboo tubes in insect hotels wither away, start to split and need replacement. As today is not a good day for computer work, I whipped out the inherited vintage workmate and started sawing.
If you do this, make sure to make clean cuts. The bees wings fray from sharp edges.

#InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #hymenoptera #insects #pollen

As always, the tunnels in my insect hotel's observation panel got used by grass-carry wasps (genus Isodontia). They provision their nests with tree crickets. #InsectHotel #wasps #isodontia #insects

Two cocoons of the Georgia mason bee (Osmia georgica) bejeweled with bright orange frass and leftover pollen grains, and separated by a layer of chewed leaves. Fresh from my insect hotel and likely a day or two away from emerging. Males will come out first and wait, very impatiently, for the females to arrive. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #hymenoptera #insects #pollen

A thread of how I sort through my insect hotels in advance of the season. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #wasps #hymenoptera #insects #pollinators 1/n