Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies (Hymenoptera) » Aculeata - Ants, Bees and Stinging Wasps » Apoidea (clade Anthophila) - Bees » Leafcutter, Mason, and Resin Bees, and allies (Megachilidae) » Leafcutter, Resin, Mortar, Sharptail, Mason, and Woolcarder bees and relatives (Megachilinae) » Wool-carder, Resin, Pebble, and Allied Bees (Anthidiini) » Woolcarder Bees (Anthidium) » Subgenus Anthidium (Anthidium Subgenus Anthidium) » European Wool-carder Bee (Anthidium manicatum)
Wool Carder Bee - nest building - Anthidium manicatum - Cross Plains, Dane County, Wisconsin, USA July 4, 2010
Ever since I first took photos of this species of bee which was my first contribution to BugGuide I have wondered what their nests look like. This afternoon I came across a nest just outside the house. One of the bees has built a nest behind a small unused metal mailbox attached to the side of the house which has spaces behind the box from the grooved siding. I noticed this white fluff sticking out from the space and soon saw the female bee come with more scrapings from the Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantina) which is growing in various parts of the yard. As you can see from the photo where the mailbox was temporarily moved, she has been very industrious. This is a well-protected spot and it will be interesting to watch as the bees develop.
Images of this individual: tag all Contributed by Ilona L. on 5 July, 2010 - 12:17am Last updated 11 December, 2010 - 5:32pm |