Leaf Cutter bee in my greenhouse

[ThomasinaMac]

Hi there

Just after some advice. Yesterday evening, I was in my greenhouse pruning my tomatoes, and a leaf cutter bee flew in (I know it is a leaf cutter bee as it was carrying a piece of leaf). He (She?) then proceeded to land on my chilli plant and apparently disappear.

I didn't think anything of it, I just assumed that it had strayed in to the greenhouse. It reappeared about two minus later, minus leaf cutting and flew out again. I was getting on with the de-trussing of the tomatoes, when about five minutes later it flew in again, carrying more leaf, and disappeared on to the chilli plant.

I was curious at this point, so I stood up, but couldn't see the bee anywhere on the plant, so I assume it had gone into the soil (there are gaps around the edge of the compost and the pot). It came back a third time, but I went home afterwards, so I can't say if it came back after that.

There have been sections cut out of the leaves on my chilli plant (and my roses), so do you think its decided to nest there? I don't have a problem with the bee nesting there, and I am quite willing to sacrifice the plant, rather than water it and drown the poor bee and its larvae. It seems a bit strange to nest there, the chilli plant is only about 8 inches tall - what do other members think??

Any thoughts/advice would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Thomasina

[Hedera]

I have them in my greenhouse every year in plantpots. if you stand the pot in a saucer and fill that the roots will get the water up without drowning the bees as they don't go down very far. They usually wind their column of cells round and round inside the pot.

[ThomasinaMac]

Thanks very much Hedera, I will do that. They don't swarm do they, as they are solitary bees?

[Hedera]

No, they don't swarm. Fascinating watching them and timing them to see where they get their leaf bits from. Mine favour roses, snowberry and my acers!

[ThomasinaMac]

Yep, she certainly was a busy bee last night! I think its been having a go at the other chilli plants as there are semi-circular bits taken out of the leaves, thought the capsaicin in the plant would make them a bit unfriendly to the bees, but if they're happy there, so am I. They are fantastic creatures and I feel priviledged its decided to take up residence.

Many thanks for your advice

Thomasina

[Hedera]

When you cut down the plants this autumn, leave the pots somewhere frostfree and the bees will hatch out next spring. I think they must have a homing instinct because some always come back to nest.