Demonstration Garden Cocoons

2. 2019 2020
Mason bees Mason bees
Leaf cutter bees Leaf cutter bees
Alfalfa bees
Resin bees
Wool carder
bees
Cavity-nesting bee cocoons

3. Mason bees are not a stinging hazard. They are
effective pollinators of fruit trees that bloom in early
Spring such as apples. They will fly out and
pollinate when temperatures are in the mid-fifties,
just like bumble bees. Leaf cutter bees are effective
pollinators of fruit trees in warmer climates such as
the orchards of Western Washington.
The fifth grade class at the Orcas School harvests

4. Hollow reeds and bee
cocoons are put out in April

5. Chicken wire prevents birds from pulling out the tubes

6. A male bee
emerges in
April 2020

7. Female mason bees gather a plug of pollen
and nectar, lay an egg, and then seal off the
area with a plug of mud. USDA photo

8. Osmia lignaria (mason bee) mud plug

10. Mason bee cocoons
In addition to hairy
fingered mites we
sometimes find empty
cocoons that have been
parasitized by tiny
Monodontomerus
wasps.
The cocoons will be
refrigerated and placed
out in April in a
hatching box or at a
spot near the nesting
materials where they
will be safe from birds.

11. Pollen mites, also known as hairy fingered mites

13. Monodontomerus wasp preparing to oviposit
into a mason bee cocoon
USDA photo

14. The cocoons are stored in the fridge in a
container that provides some humidity

15. Leaf cutter bee cocoons

16. Alfalfa bee cocoons

17. Viewing home purchased from beediverse.com

18. Wool carder bee cocoons
Resin bee larvae

19. This bee house will be a raffle prize in March 2021
A former garden club board member will supply cocoons

20. Walla Walla Road Sign