Clear, simple definitions designed for children - perfect for schools, preschools, and nurseries.
Mud Plug - A small wall of mud made by mason bees to seal each chamber in the nest. It protects the eggs, pollen and developing larva inside.
Leaf Plug - A circular piece of leaf used by leafcutter bees to line and seal their nest chambers. They cut perfect circles from leaves to build with.
Pollen Loaf - A ball of pollen and nectar placed inside each chamber. This is the food source for the larva as it grows.
Egg - Laid on top of the pollen loaf. It hatches into a larvae after a few days.
Larvae - The grub-like stage that eats the pollen loaf, grows quickly, eventually spins a cocoon.
Cocoon - A protective silk casing a spun by the larva. Inside the cocoon the larva transforms into a fully formed adult bee.
Emergence - When the adult bee chews its way out of the cocoon and exits the tube in Spring.
Nesting Tube - A hallow tube (bamboo, reed, or drilled wood) where solitary bees lay their eggs and build chambers. Pictured - Our BeeLife Box, pollen inside the chambers.
Chamber - A single room inside the nesting bee box. Each chamber contains one egg, one pollen loaf, and one developing bee.
Female Bee - Builds the nest, gathers pollen, lays eggs and seals the chambers. She does all the work. (poor woman!)
Male Bee - Emerges first in Spring and waits near the tubes for females. He does not build nest. (typical!)
Forage - Flowers grown in garden, balconies or wildflowers grown in fields, meadows that provide pollen and nectar for bees. Different species prefer different plants.
Parasite / Predator - Insects like wasps, earwigs or birds that may interacts with or prey on nests. Most are harmless and part of nature.
Bee Home - A structure that holds multiple nesting tunnels. Solitary bees use it as a place to lay eggs.