Worldwide Beekeeping

Beekeeping => Other Pollinators => Topic started by: Wandering Man on May 29, 2020, 12:44:18 am

Title: Help with a Swarm of Bees
Post by: Wandering Man on May 29, 2020, 12:44:18 am
I put this here, because I don't know if these are honey bees, mason bees, or something else.

I got an email from a friend in San Antonio, Texas asking me if I knew what was going on (see pictures below).  There are 9 or 10 bees that have been hanging out on this same stalk of parsley for three or four days.  She said they are small, about the size of a house fly.  They apparently do fly off at times, but always end up back on this same stalk.

In her last email she told me there was a big storm coming.  The bees were wet, but didn't seem to be bothered by the rain.

Any ideas?  She could be wrong about the size.  They might really be small honeybees.  But still, why are they there?  Did they get separated from an actual swarm and now they are lost?  Is it some other species of parsley loving bee or fly?


(https://i.ibb.co/n3jCdCr/20200526-192022.jpg) (https://ibb.co/n3jCdCr)

(https://i.ibb.co/dBGnt7X/20200527-075726.jpg) (https://ibb.co/dBGnt7X)
Title: Re: Help with a Swarm of Bees
Post by: Zweefer on May 29, 2020, 10:00:39 am
Going out on a limb here, but I believe they may be  leaf cutter bees.  (https://txbeeinspection.tamu.edu/leafcutter-bees/)

Their antennae seem too long though... any other suggestions guys?
Title: Re: Help with a Swarm of Bees
Post by: Wandering Man on May 30, 2020, 11:34:37 am
Thanks Zweefer.

I've asked her to see if she can get a better picture, but I think the bees are gone now.