In some species, the ovipositor can be twice the length of the wasp's body! These wasps have bodies that are up to about 26 mm long (though some are as short as 6 mm) and most have long needle-like ovipositors, for laying eggs, extending from the tip of their abdomens. It is easy to spot the long slender Gasteruptiid wasps that are attracted to nests of Resin Bees. The sharply pointed abdomen of the Coelioxys Cuckoo Bee is clearly seen in this great image by Peter O. The Coelioxys young then eat the provisions collected for the Leafcutter Bee's young. They enter the nests of Leafcutter bees and slip their abdomen between the leaves of leafcutter brood cells to lay their eggs. The black and white Coelioxys bee females have distinctive long pointed abdomens. Even though these bees do impact the numbers of our Blue Banded Bees, we are reluctant to remove them from our gardens, as their beauty is always captivating to see.Īnother kind of cuckoo bee targets the nests of Leafcutter Bees. The blue fur patches of the Neon Cuckoo Bee sparkle in the sunshine, making it one of our most stunningly beautiful bees. The Chequered Cuckoo Bee and, in particular, the Neon Cuckoo Bee are spectacularly coloured: black bees with blue polka dots. This photo shows a male Cuckoo Bee roosting at night on a stem. The stunning blue polka-dot Neon Cuckoo Bee targets the nests of Blue Banded Bees. This is similar to the behaviour of cuckoo birds that lay their eggs in the nests of other birds. If successful, the Cuckoo Bee's young will consume some of the food stores intended for the Blue Banded Bee's young. These bees will try to sneak into an unattended Blue Banded Bee nest and lay their eggs. The Blue Banded Bee nests in your Bee Hotel may be targeted by the Neon Cuckoo Bee and the Chequered Cuckoo Bee. This Gasteruptiid Wasp is trying to lay an egg in the unattended nest of a Resin Bee in a Bee Hotel. However, there are some steps you can take to help prevent these pests and parasites from building up to levels that will threaten your bee populations. This is part of the natural cycle of life in the Australian bush. Wasps, mites and spiders may try to penetrate the nests. Once you have a busy population of solitary bees and solitary wasps visiting your Bee Hotel, it is common that some pests and parasites will also come along. WHAT SHOULD I DO ABOUT PESTS AND PARASITES?Īussie Bee > Bee Hotel Guide > Pests and Parasites
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