Fwd: Bee nest

[Adrienne]

Hello everyone,

I'm pretty happy to say that it looks like a native bee is creating a little nest/hive in my rock wall this Spring. Sighted today by an observant friend!

I think it could be this bee, but I am not sure, because the bee is building on a wall, and it is facing NE but it gets lots of sun and warmth still in the afternoon in that little corner?

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/127747-Halictus-rubicundus

https://www.bentonswcd.org/bee-identification

I am going to try to be there when it is there :) to take a pic.

Meanwhile here is a picture of the 'nest'? it is building.

Adrienne

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[Marge Victor Alig]

Adrienne, 

From the look of the nest, I wonder if it’s a mud dauber, a solitary wasp. They are not aggressive. I’ve had other similar nests on our property, often on rocks.

FYI, one of my favorite solitary wasps is the big beautiful Great Golden Digger Wasp, which I had never seen in my yard until our narrowleaf milkweed started doing well… I have to admit I jumped back a few feet the first time I came upon one at close range. I see them often now every year in later summer on milkweed and Physocarpus (ninebark) flowers. They are ground nesters, and docile. Look them up! A good resource is bugguide.net

Marge

On May 16, 2025, at 5:10 PM, Adrienne <330healt...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[nancy bee]

Are the cells small? I’m thinking potter wasp. They are solitary and look like tiny yellowjackets

Nancy Bee

On May 17, 2025, at 9:18 AM, Marge Victor Alig <mvict...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Adrienne]

Nancy, yes, you are spot on, it is a potter wasp. You mention they are solitary and look like tiny yellowjackets. I just looked them up and it looks just like it. And,

Marge, thank you for the other bee info. I enjoyed learning about it as well. But it is a potter wasp as I remembered what it looked like. Just as long as it does not sting us or my dog (who is allergic to stings). And I think it will be fine as the tiny nest is in front area out of the way enough. Thanks again! Adrienne

I found this info via AI /Google on the potter wasp:

Potter wasps are generally considered beneficial and non-aggressive. While they can sting if provoked, they are solitary wasps and not typically aggressive towards humans. They play a role in controlling caterpillars and pollinating flowers, making them valuable additions to a garden ecosystem.
Here's a more detailed look:
Solitary Nature:
Unlike social wasps, potter wasps are solitary, meaning they live and work independently.
Prey Control:
They are known to hunt and consume caterpillars, which can be beneficial for gardeners.
Pollination:
Potter wasps also visit flowers to feed on nectar, which helps with pollination.
Nest Building:
Female potter wasps build small, mud nests, often resembling clay jugs, to house their eggs and larvae.
Sting Risk:
While they have stingers, they are not aggressive and rarely sting unless they feel threatened or are handled.
Beneficial Impact:
Potter wasps contribute to the health of the environment by controlling pests and aiding in pollination.