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Monodontomerus wasps- a solitary bee parasite

A parasite of solitary bees, is the female monodontomerus parasitic wasp. This female uses her antennae to seek out and ‘sniff’ the scent of a potential host, in this case, a red mason bee’s cocoon inside a cell. If she finds a way inside the cell she will lay her eggs actually inside the cocoon and her larvae will eat the red mason bee larva inside. Filmed in my garden. More to follow……..

See my new Registered Design award winning solitary bee box and bumblebee nest box both of which are radical, practical and educational, offering them a safer nesting environment in which you can observe the bees. Great for schools!

For more information about solitary bees and wasps visit BWARS

For more bumblebee information and to help save bumblebees join the Bumblebee Conservation Trust at Stirling University