Second Generation of Leaf Cutter Bees - 22 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 are seeing significant evidence of a second generation of bees as evidenced by circular holes from previously filled nests. The graph and table below show the progress of the bee nesting activity:

Site1a2h Nests Completed as of 22 July 2020 - Graph

Site1a2h Nests Completed as of 22 July 2020 - History

The current count of second (and maybe third, see below) generation emergences is:

"Next Generation: 4, 10, 7, 6, 8, 4 = 39

with respect to the habitats in the table above.

You can see the emergence of 4 of the 5 filled nests in the Site1a2h-3 habitat:

Site1a2h Habitat 3 Showing Four of Five Emergences

Note that the fifth filled and emerged nest is obscured and indented; second row from the bottom; far left.

The statistics as of today are:

Site1a2h Nests Completed as of 22 July 2020 - Results

Gene talked to Dr Steve Peterson of 'Pollination Consulting' about our leaf cutters. He recommended that we keep the habitats in place until fall. And that we might even get a "third" generation. We are planning to put the remaining "two quarts" of leaf cutter cocoons here in Gilbert and again in Payson.

Note that we retrieved the habitat and remains of the leaf cutters that we placed in Payson. The cocoons are all "empty" but not a single tube was filled!?