Mason Bees, Megachilidae

Insect

Mason bees are black or blue and hairy. Adults are 12-14 mm long and resemble large flies. Adults are solitary bees which emerge in April and feed on nectar and pollen. They lay their eggs inside nests built in small tunnels of wood or tubes. Larvae hatch and feed until August and then pupate and overwinter in the nest. Mason bees are more active than honey bees in poor weather conditions.

Role

Pollinators of blueberry flowers.