Leaf cutter bee emergence

Susie · #1 (**permalink**) 26-09-2006, 01:35 PM

I have a bee box and earlier in the year spend a most enjoyable time watching the leaf cutter bees making homes for their grubs in it and sealing up the little tunnels with cut leaves .. today I noticed that some of the sealed units look to be partially open. Would this be because the off-spring have emerged or is it more likely that they have been predated? I wasn't expecting anything to come out until next year so am a bit surprised.

Many thanks if anyone can offer any assistance on my query.

Alan · #2 (**permalink**) 26-09-2006, 01:53 PM

I think most Leaf-cutters have one generation a year, and over-winter as diapausing prepupae, so they could have been predated, or it could be due to our changing weather patterns?

Susie · #3 (**permalink**) 26-09-2006, 02:00 PM

diapausing prepupae? What's that in English? *scratches head and goes off to do a google*

Alan · #4 (**permalink**) 26-09-2006, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Susie

diapausing prepupae? What's that in English? *scratches head and goes off to do a google*

Think of it as a resting stage before pupation or state of animated suspension, so they don't hatch until the following spring. I think I'm right in that

Imaginos · #5 (**permalink**) 26-09-2006, 03:07 PM

I think you're right Alan, trouble is in recent years a lot of species that usually overwinter as larvae or pupae are having second generations due to our longer warmer summers.
So: it could be predation or a second generation...parasitism shouldn't be ruled out either. A closer look may be in order-maybe tease those open cells open a little further & see what's going on?