News — Mason Bees

Each month our Bee Informed Blog highlights current news, science, and research related to solitary bee conservation, food insecurity, and sustainability. 1. What genetic sequencing can reveal about the secret lives of bees (pbs.org) Bees are, in many ways, the darlings of the insect world. Not only do they play a crucial role in thriving ecosystems, but they’re also harbingers of the worsening consequences of climate change. To bolster our knowledge of bee biology and behavior, a new effort dubbed the “Beenome100 Project” is building a first-of-its-kind library of dozens of different bee genomes. Researchers can use that information to tackle big...

Pollinators are not just fascinating animals. They perform an essential ecological function, and without them, we (and the rest of the terrestrial world) would not survive. Climate change, habitat destruction, and the ubiquitous use of pesticides, among others, are harming pollinators— and people. Earth day has been around since the '70s, but it has never been more critical than it is today! Please join us in utilizing these resources to celebrate and make a positive impact this Earth Day (April 22, 2022) and EVERY DAY. Earth Day: The Official Site The Earth Day 2022 Theme is Invest In Our Planet....

Over the years you've shared some amazing photos of bee-friendly yards and gardens with us and this spring we want to highlight your hard work and creativity to help inspire others! Share your pictures and bee-friendly habitat details, and you may be "crowned" the winner of Crown Bees 1st annual Backyard Buzz contest. From Crown Bees' houses surrounded by native plants to completely recycled DIY bee houses to pesticide free gardening and everything in-between.....show us your best! Submissions must include a photo and a short description detailing what makes your yard and garden bee-friendly. Submissions accepted: April 15th - June...

Traditionally, caring for spring Mason bees was a straightforward affair, involving three simple steps: installing the bee house, releasing the cocoons, and then enjoying the fruits of their pollinating labor. However, the emergence of the Houdini Fly, an invasive parasite targeting Mason bees, has necessitated an important addition to our care regimen.