Leaf cutter bee found

[Wig]

Found a leaf cutter bee, going into a hole in the soil inside a small plant pot. At first I wondered what it was as it buzzed around me. It must have been disorientated because I was standing there and had just put a lid on the water butt.

I saw it go into the hole and I watched as it came out, I thought it looked like a bee, but just to be sure I decided to move the plant pot around by turning it 180° so I could get a better view when it came back. Waited 4 minutes and it was back hovering around the plant pot couldn't find the hole (which was 2 inches away) gave me time to see it was carrying a section of leaf, I knew then it must be a leafcutter bee.

It was tired and went to sit on a bit of nearby wood for 1min. I moved the pot back to it's correct place. It took off and went straight into it's hole.

She came out (backwards) & flew away. Whilst she was away I looked inside the pot and there is a neat tunnel and one finished cocoon then she's gone around a bit further in the tunnel and is making a second cocoon. I put it back

I watched again as she exited the tunnel and she flew 4 metres to a nearby bush. Which upon closer examination is covered in little cut out leaves.

Can't find my camera, so no pics.

This is a black plastic pot the plastic is thin like a plastic bag. I think if left there, the cold winter would freeze the contents so I am going to put it inside another pot filled with grass and then into the greenhouse when the weather turns cold. and I won't be watering that pot anymore.

It looks so similar to a honey bee! I thought they were all honey bees on my flowers (sedum which flowers in September) now I see I am going to have to learn to tell the difference!

[eucera]

I would advise allowing natural temperatures in the winter. Without them, the bees may well not hatch next year

[Wig]

Ok, well I'll bury the pot into the garden to the soil level in the pot.

Since posting I have found other holes in other pots with cocoons inside. So I will have to bury all of them.