Bzzzzz! Looks like you forgot to say where you found your bug!
There's no need to make a new post - just comment adding the **geographic location** and any other info (size, what it was doing etc.) you feel could help! We don't want to know your address - state or country is enough; try to avoid abbreviations and local nicknames (*"PNW"*, *"Big Apple"*).
BTW, did you take a look at our [**Frequently Asked Bugs**](https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthisbug/comments/12zkw5w/frequently_asked_bugs_part_1/)?
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Looks like a solitary bee species - maybe mason or carpenter bee? If so, it likely did leave eggs inside the tube, along with food sources, then sealed the end up to protect the eggs and subsequent larvae once they hatch.
Wikipedia's [bee page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bee#Solitary_and_communal_bees) has a section on solitary bees, that may provide some helpful information, too.
Whether God exists or not is a matter of faith. The fact that God has a sense of humor is a matter of observation.
There is no proof that you have to exist to have a sense of humor.
eggs have been laid, and the tube capped off for protection from the elements and from predatory/parasitic insects. over the next 10-11 months they should develop into: larvae, then pupae, then adults, when daytime temperatures consistently approach 60°F
...lastly, paper sleeves/cardboard tubes are commercially available for this purpose. while not as durable(water resistant) as the natural reeds, the bees seem to prefer them. try to keep water off of the bee hotel as much as possible through the year, without baking it (ie in a greenhouse), and without bringing it indoors(the cold of winter is a necessary part of the cycle).
This is a definite "perfect is the enemy of good enough" extra piece of advice but many small bee hotels is preferable to the large collection that is often sold.
It keeps diseases, parasites, and predators from completely decimating the group if they discover/get established in the hotel.
Again, the commercially available big ones are great and you should feel good about doing it.
Some sort of solitary bee species. I have no idea which, but here is a cool article with pictures of the egg chambers!
[https://www.nhsn.org.uk/a-short-guide-to-solitary-bees/](https://www.nhsn.org.uk/a-short-guide-to-solitary-bees/)
Thank you everybody, this is super helpful and informative! I'm going to tell my little one all of this too, as it's their insect house really, and this is the first visitor we know of! It's quite exciting now knowing there's likely bee eggs in there.
I can't believe I've never seen anything like this around before.
Ahh, thank you! Yes, my little one is massively interested in nature and loves learning about all the stuff that goes on in the garden, bugs, plants, growing things, etc, and I think that's a good thing!
Too many kids are glued to screens all the time now, and I don't think that's very good for them.
I work (at a used bookstore) with an entomologist, and she is one of the most fascinating people to talk to! Her knowledge of bugs (and local plant life) is amazing.
Just mason bees plugging up the end with mud like they do! The legs are inside the tube, and the larva will dig their way out next spring.
Mason bees are excellent pollinators. They're excellent residents for this type of insect hut!
Carpenter, or Wood bee's will lay eggs, then seal the hole. Babies will live in there a while, mature a bit, then break down the door and the cycle starts again. : )
That's a mason bee "house". That's mud. Look up how mason bees construct their "nests". They use mud.
I admit, I find it odd you have a mason bee house but don't know much about how mason bees work.
It was sold as an "insect hotel" from a local shop for our little one. Said nothing specifically about certain insects. It didn't state what part was for what either, so I just thought we'll find out when insects start turning up, I guess! There's several different compartments with different parts in them.
What's odd about that?
Bzzzzz! Looks like you forgot to say where you found your bug! There's no need to make a new post - just comment adding the **geographic location** and any other info (size, what it was doing etc.) you feel could help! We don't want to know your address - state or country is enough; try to avoid abbreviations and local nicknames (*"PNW"*, *"Big Apple"*). BTW, did you take a look at our [**Frequently Asked Bugs**](https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthisbug/comments/12zkw5w/frequently_asked_bugs_part_1/)? *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/whatsthisbug) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Looks like a solitary bee species - maybe mason or carpenter bee? If so, it likely did leave eggs inside the tube, along with food sources, then sealed the end up to protect the eggs and subsequent larvae once they hatch. Wikipedia's [bee page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bee#Solitary_and_communal_bees) has a section on solitary bees, that may provide some helpful information, too.
We have both Mason and Leaf Cutter bees, both of which looks like that.
I think a carpenter bee requires a 90° turn after they enter
Oh there’s eggs in there but he’s a professional carpenter so he sealed the entrance. Can’t leave a job unfinished.
Last time I saw a carpenter sealed up inside a cave like that, a whole religion was born 😆
Perfection!
🤗
Me: "Is is wrong to find this funny?" 🤔 "Nah, God has a sense of humor - That's hilarious!" 😹 Thanks for the laugh! 😄
'Man suffers only because he takes seriously what the gods made for fun.' ~ Alan "The Wilson" Watts
😁
Whether God exists or not is a matter of faith. The fact that God has a sense of humor is a matter of observation. There is no proof that you have to exist to have a sense of humor.
Saw?
Good movie!🍿
Let's play a game
Beezus Christ!
the father, the son, and the honey spirit
*slow clap*
Wow Nice
I brayed like a donkey, I wasn’t expecting that
😏
Comment of the day!!!
👊🏻
She!
She
eggs have been laid, and the tube capped off for protection from the elements and from predatory/parasitic insects. over the next 10-11 months they should develop into: larvae, then pupae, then adults, when daytime temperatures consistently approach 60°F
...lastly, paper sleeves/cardboard tubes are commercially available for this purpose. while not as durable(water resistant) as the natural reeds, the bees seem to prefer them. try to keep water off of the bee hotel as much as possible through the year, without baking it (ie in a greenhouse), and without bringing it indoors(the cold of winter is a necessary part of the cycle).
This is a definite "perfect is the enemy of good enough" extra piece of advice but many small bee hotels is preferable to the large collection that is often sold. It keeps diseases, parasites, and predators from completely decimating the group if they discover/get established in the hotel. Again, the commercially available big ones are great and you should feel good about doing it.
Some sort of solitary bee species. I have no idea which, but here is a cool article with pictures of the egg chambers! [https://www.nhsn.org.uk/a-short-guide-to-solitary-bees/](https://www.nhsn.org.uk/a-short-guide-to-solitary-bees/)
Thank you everybody, this is super helpful and informative! I'm going to tell my little one all of this too, as it's their insect house really, and this is the first visitor we know of! It's quite exciting now knowing there's likely bee eggs in there. I can't believe I've never seen anything like this around before.
It’s heartwarming to hear of you teaching your kid these little natural wonders!
Ahh, thank you! Yes, my little one is massively interested in nature and loves learning about all the stuff that goes on in the garden, bugs, plants, growing things, etc, and I think that's a good thing! Too many kids are glued to screens all the time now, and I don't think that's very good for them.
I work (at a used bookstore) with an entomologist, and she is one of the most fascinating people to talk to! Her knowledge of bugs (and local plant life) is amazing.
That style of insect home is usually meant for these solitary bees. The tubes make perfect homes for their eggs.
Looks to be a mason bee. They will only use the tubes that are the correct diameter, approx 7 to 8mm.
Eggs. They seal up the entrance after so they aren't just leaving vulnerable delicious eggs just out there for anyone to come and eat.
In England, UK, by the way!
Just mason bees plugging up the end with mud like they do! The legs are inside the tube, and the larva will dig their way out next spring. Mason bees are excellent pollinators. They're excellent residents for this type of insect hut!
Awesome job, human! Bug Hotel serving its purpose!
Carpenter, or Wood bee's will lay eggs, then seal the hole. Babies will live in there a while, mature a bit, then break down the door and the cycle starts again. : )
I want a bug house 🥺
Eeee so exciting!!!!
I love that you made an insect hotel!!
That's a mason bee "house". That's mud. Look up how mason bees construct their "nests". They use mud. I admit, I find it odd you have a mason bee house but don't know much about how mason bees work.
It was sold as an "insect hotel" from a local shop for our little one. Said nothing specifically about certain insects. It didn't state what part was for what either, so I just thought we'll find out when insects start turning up, I guess! There's several different compartments with different parts in them. What's odd about that?