Spot a Houdini Fly? Help Us Track on iNaturalist!

Calling All Bee Friends: Join Our Houdini Fly Hunt on iNaturalist

Note: If you received our email about a UC Davis partnership, there's been a change in plans. You're in the right place, and your help is still just as important!

We've got some big news to share with our bee-loving friends! We're launching a citizen science project using iNaturalist to track Houdini flies spreading across the nation.

How We Discovered the Problem

Our journey with the Houdini fly began when Dave first spotted this pest eight years ago. He took specimens to the Orchard Bee Association (OBA), where two Swedish experts identified it, saying, "That's a Houdini Fly." Five years ago, we took our concerns to the USDA and began working with teams in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. Since then, these pests have spread to other states across the US, putting all Mason bees at risk.

What We've Tried So Far

We've been busy testing ways to keep these flies away from your bees. We've tried scents to trap them and push them away from bee homes. But these tricky flies have earned their "Houdini" name – they keep escaping our solutions!

Dave's Chat with USDA Expert

Last, Dave talked with Dr. Katie Buckley from the USDA about the Houdini fly problem. They agreed we need to track these pests all over the country. The USDA is working hard to understand this threat, but they need our help to map where the flies are spreading.

Help Us Track the Spread

We think these flies come from unclean bee hotels in neighborhoods. When bee homes aren't cleaned regularly, they become perfect spots for Houdini flies to grow and spread.

That's why we need your help! If you spot Houdini flies near your bees, please share what you see on our iNaturalist project.

Join Our iNaturalist Project

iNaturalist is a place where nature lovers share what they see outdoors. It connects people who care about plants and animals.

It's a great way to:

  • Track what visits your pollinator garden
  • Get better at spotting bees, plants, and birds
  • Share what you find with others who care

Getting Started with iNaturalist:

When you share on iNaturalist, you learn more about nature in your area and help protect our bee friends.

How You Can Help

While we look for better solutions, here are simple things you can do:

  • Clean your bee homes regularly
  • Put in fresh nesting materials each season
  • Check your cocoons for signs of pests
  • Talk to your neighbors about keeping bee hotels clean
  • Share your Houdini fly sightings on iNaturalist

Stay Tuned!

We'll keep you updated as we learn more. By working together, we can keep your buzzing buddies safe from these unwanted guests. Remember, you're not alone in this fight – we're right beside you, keeping bees happy and healthy!

Happy observing!

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