Second Generation Emerging - 1 July 2020

Now that we have significant bee activity at our Gilbert Site1a2h, we will be monitoring the progress as they fill the habitat tubes.

We have evidence of a second generation of leaf cutters. A second generation, in the same year, is standard for these bees although many questions about the process and details remain. We had an interesting and informative discussion with Elisabeth Wilson MS, formerly at North Dakota State University where she did critical research in leaf cutter bee preferences in habitat orientation and the resultant temperature differences.

You can read about second generation leaf cutter information at "FALL AND WINTER BIOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT OF ALFALFA LEAFCUTTING BEES IN THE NORTHWEST" or "Alfalfa Leaf-Cutter Bee" or "wiki Megachile rotundata" or some detailed research in a paper from 1986 by Tepedino & Parker supplied to us by Elisabeth.

Here are two photographs showing the typical circular 'cutout' where the second generation bee emerges from the completed nest.

Evidence of A Second Generation of Leaf Cutter Bees From Site1a2h-2 Habitat

Evidence of A Second Generation of Leaf Cutter Bees From Site1a2h-1 Habitat

This may explain our data showing a significant (14-16 nests per day) in the early period (6 - 12 June) and a "slowdown" to a few nests per day in the last week (26 - 30 June).

Time History of Leaf Cutter Nests Completed at Site1a2h

History of Nests at Site1a2h

Here is our video report: