North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[derry and bill <wchase@interchange.ubc.ca>]

Jim,

My guess is that the insects using the 3/16" drinking straws are not BOBs.

Even if you use 1/4" straws, you'll get about 94% male BOBs. It is the females
that pollinate apple blossoms.

The female BOBs in your area are probably nesting elsewhere.

We surmise that the BOB cannot get the mud to 'stick' to the plastic straws 
so she
goes elsewhere to nest.

There are quite a few solitary wasps in this area that will use 1/4" and 3/16"
holes. They could be using a sap-like substance to make the doors.

Derry

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Derry Walsh & Bill Chase
wchase@interchange.ubc.ca
Aldergrove,  B. C.,  Canada
phone/fax (604) 856-9316
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Home web pages: http://derrysorchardandnursery.ca
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:    For my wild population of Mason Bees, I keep 1/4" cardboard tubes, 5/16"
: plastic tubing and 3/16" drinking straws handy for them.  They use the
: drinking straws most often.
:    This year something strange has happened:  I have always saw mud having
: been used to seal the entrance but this year some of the 1/4" tubes are
: sealed with a mucilaginous substance.  Does anyone know what this substance
: might be or what insect may have did it?
: Thanks,
: -- 
: Jim Fruth
: Brambleberry Farm
: Pequot Lakes, MN
: www.bberryfarm.com