Recently we noticed leaf cutter bee indications on the roses at Site!a2, the residential lot in Phoenix.
Leaf cutter bees are in the family of solitary bees; just like our mason bees, AKA blue orchard bees. The leaf cutter bees use the cut out portions of the leaf to build their nests. Here's a leaf cutter bee at work.
Interestingly enough, the leaf cutter bees prefer some roses over others.
Previously we had an email conversation with Dave Hunter of Crown Bees that touched on expanding the native bee population. Dave is a pioneer in the field of solitary bees and has many interesting insights and suggestions on solitary bees. Crown Bees also offers a variety of products involving leaf cutter bees. Dave has kindly given us permission to post our email conversation.
Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2019 1:05 PM To: dave Subject: We Mentioned You
Dave,
Hello. We (Jim and Gene) just wanted to let you know that we reviewed your book on our bee research website.
I also did a review on Amazon.
Jim Sarina
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On April 11, 2019 at 2:52 PM dave wrote:
Jim,
Well met. Thanks for the kind words. I’m sure you and Gene had a few moments to reflect on our conversation yesterday. I’m all ears to hearing your collective thoughts.
Glad to have teammates in Arizona.
Dave Hunter Owner, Crown Bees
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On April 12, 2019 at 10:04 AM we wrote:
Dave,
Thanks. We look forward to talking to you also.
Gene and I have lots of ideas on further 'marketing' solitary bees, the OBA and more.
We (Michelle and Jim) plan to be in Seattle in July. We will stop by Crown Bees then.
Jim
PS: I updated our blog and the Amazon review to properly credit Jill also. My bad for not doing so initially.
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Dave,
We observed "bugs" when we opened a tube of bees that had been in the field about 10 days. These were Pennsylvania bees that we got from the USDA-ARS. Needless to say, the cocoons were "clean" when we put them in the tube.
You can see the details on our blog post: https://www.blueorchardbeesinarizonaproject.com/post/first-inspection-of-site3-in-payson-flowing-springs
And idea what these might bee?
Thanks.
Jim & Gene
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On April 16, 2019 at 8:28 AM dave wrote:
Hi Jim,
My suggestion is that they are third stage of pollen mites. Egg, juvenile is what we see in the pollen mass when harvesting, and adults that scurry from here to there between the holes to spread their eggs to more gathered pollen.
This is something AZ shouldn’t have as it’s too dry. This is also another reason why we should be spreading bees from point A to point B if not washed or cared for correctly.
My opinion!
Dave Hunter Owner, Crown Bees
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Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2019 12:48 PM To: dave Subject: RE: Question?
Thanks, Dave.
That* is a valuable input and point.
We should incorporate a method in our work to ensure that any materials (hardware, or bees, cocoons) we use are properly prepared ("washed", "inspected", "reviewed").
Other than a cursory examination, we did not inspect, wash or prepare the cocoons we obtained from the USDA-ARS.
Could you point us to a 'best practices' guide on some simple steps we could do in the future?
Jim
*and I assume you meant "This is also another reason why we should NOT be spreading bees from point A to point B if not washed or cared for correctly."
And if the mites are not acclimated to an AZ "too dry" environment, they are in a for a rude awakening.
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On April 16, 2019 at 1:13 PM dave wrote:
You’re correct on the correction! It’s funny that the USDA doesn’t follow standards that OBA set out… and many of the OBA members are just as guilty. In a hurry, don’t think about it, etc. Gene should be able to gain access to the OBA standards that I started a few years back. I’m no longer in charge, so don’t have the touch to it. I think that Glen Trestle might be the current owner of standards.
And in truth, I don’t think this is thought through. ALL cocoons transferred from point A to B shall be washed to X level to ensure no passing of mites, chalkbrood, or other pathogens on the surface of the cocoons. Does it say this?
That said… I think the best bees of AZ are already there, just not in enough quantities to make a difference yet. Which species has low dispersion rates? If AZ has one of the highest diversity of species, this is because each arroyo or oasis was isolated from the others and desert kept the bees evolving in isolation. Because they were tight in their little space, did they have a high degree of dispersion to try to extend the species, or low because those that left died? Thus those that stayed around survived and so all want to stay around… If there was minimal pollen in that tight area, did the bees purposely stay low in numbers so that they wouldn’t out compete their species and thus be weaker? …so had a high dispersion rate?
I doubt anyone in the country/world has asked these questions.
Your thoughts?
Dave Hunter Owner, Crown Bees
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On April 16, 2019 at 7:28 PM we wrote:
Dave,
My thoughts?
This is GREAT. These are the type of questions (and answers) that we are trying to highlight with our project.
We will check the OBA standards, but the 'answer' of " ALL cocoons transferred from point A to B shall be washed to X level to ensure no passing of mites, chalkbrood, or other pathogens on the surface of the cocoons." is exactly right. We will add that as a 'conclusion' of the study.
Also the concept of propogating/expanding the native population is intriguing. We will put some more thought into that.
Jim
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Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2019 11:50 AM To: dave Subject: RE: Question?
Thanks again, Dave.
We put the story up in this post, with the associated video. I had fun making it.
New question. Gene came home to find a "hole" in one of his previously mud filled tubes (see attached photos).
Any ideas?
We plan to take extra care later when we open and access the cocoons. Should we be doing something now also?
Jim & Gene
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On April 17, 2019 at 1:48 PM dave wrote:
Hole… possible bug intrusion, more likely a part of the wall came tumbling down. I see debris down below. Just happens.
Dave Hunter Owner, Crown Bees
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On April 18, 2019 at 8:52 AM we wrote:
Thanks, Dave.
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Sent: Saturday, April 20, 2019 9:01 AM To: dave Subject: RE: Question?
Dave,
Do you mind if I put this email exchange on our website as a post. It contains valuable questions and insights that we want to capture as part of the research project.
Jim & Gene
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On April 20, 2019 at 10:22 AM Dave Hunter <dave> wrote:
Sure Jim,
Please help your readers understand that I’m just a person that thinks of things and not a researcher in any means. It would be great to have researchers do their thing to investigate some of the questions/thoughts we’ve discussed below…
Happy Easter!
Dave Hunter Owner, Crown Bees
phone: 425.949.7954
mobile: 206.851.1263
address: 13410 NE 177th Place, Woodinville WA 98072
web: crownbees.com
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Sent: Saturday, April 20, 2019 10:44 AM To: Dave Hunter <dave Subject: RE: Question?
If that's a yes, I will add that disclaimer in the intro.
You're not a "researcher" (neither are Gene and I), but you are a "pioneer" with well thought out arguments/ideas and lots of practical experience in the real world of solitary bees.
We especially want to get two points you made into circulation:
1. need standards about "cleaning" and "examining" cocoons received that are simple; say a one page insert sheet (big type). Nobody reads the 100 page document in 8 point type.
2. how can we encourage/expand the native bee population, not just in AZ, but everywhere.
Jim & Gene
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Dave Hunter
12:04 PM
Amen to the “yes”, and now I find you kind of fun with the 8 point type. Why aren’t you two my neighbors?
Dave Hunter Owner, Crown Bees
web: crownbees.com
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