What are these small bees on my oregano?

What are these small bees on my oregano? (post #12593)

geoffhazel on Sat, 08/01/2009 - 22:04

Vegetables

We've had honeybees and bumblebees flock to our raspberries this year, but now I'm seeing these smaller, skinny bees on the oregano. The almost look like small wasps, but I didn't know wasps liked pollen.

I took a picture but with the camera phone it's hard to get the resolution at close range this subject deserves.

Edited 8/1/2009 6:05 pm ET by geoffhazel

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by the country gardener in reply to geoffhazel [original] on Sun, 08/02/2009 - 02:45

I guess I'll be the first to say it; sorry, I just can't make them out clearly in the photo. Blew it up to full screen, but they're just not focused enough.

Marty

"The plants have been good to us." Lester Hawkins

Marty

"The plants have been good to us." Lester Hawkins

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by jimcco in reply to geoffhazel [original] on Sun, 08/02/2009 - 21:02

I can't see them eather in the pic, but what you discribe are called solitary bees. They live in holes in dead wood etc not in hives or colonies. For some crops such as plums they are the major pollinator. They will often look like a swarm of gnats (but bigger) because there will be so many of them.

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by geoffhazel in reply to Anonymous [original] on Mon, 08/03/2009 - 06:12

solitary bees, that looks like the right answer. Here's a nice big image if you want to see better: http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/gallery/files/2/0/7/3/WABhoneybee.jpg

I also noticed one of them entering a 5/16" hole in the siding of the house! Which also fits with their description.

I have never seen them around before this year.

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by Astrid in reply to geoffhazel [original] on Tue, 08/04/2009 - 02:19

I have had a number of bee type creatures in my kitchen garden this summer, busy pollinating. Some seem to have no sound, but the regular bees which are present do have their normal humming buzz. I thinking it might have to do with the problems recently had by bee keepers and the death of hives. Nature is filling in, I hope it continues to.

New Mexico home organic gardener

Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience. Emerson

New Mexico home organic gardener Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience. Emerson

What are these small bees on my oregano?