With the arrival of Africanized honey bees in Arizona, there has been an increased interest in bees, wasps, and other flying creatures. One group of insects that have come to our attention are the so-called solitary bees. Not all bees live in large family groups like honey bees. Female solitary bees prepare their own nest in the ground, in cracks or crevices in walls, or in wood. They gather nectar and pollen as food for their own offspring, and provide little or no further care after their eggs are laid.
Solitary bees come in many different sizes, colors and shapes.
Common solitary bees are mason bees, plasterer bees, digger bees, sweat bees and carpenter bees. They vary in color from basic black to bright metallic green, blue or red. Some solitary bees superficially resemble wasps. Solitary bees may nest close together because the site is particularly choice. Other species regularly nest near bees of the same kind, but each female builds its own nest.