Mining Bees?

Ontario, CA(Zone 8b)

I happened to see what I believe is a bee fly into a hole in the ground near my driveway today. It's somewhat near my lavender, where there are always at least one or two bees flying around. I can't get a picture of the bee itself, but here is a picture of it's hole. I've seen other small holes in the ground in other areas, but had assumed that it was perhaps from slugs or something?

I did some reading and it seems that the candidates are either some kind of mining bee or some kind of hornet or yellow jacket or something. I haven't seen hornets or yellow jackets around, and I'm always on the watch for anything even closely resembling a wasp (we occasionally have one or two try to make a nest near windows).

Kind of creepy. Right now, I'm not too worried about it being dangerous. Just fascinated, because I didn't even know there were bees that made homes in the dirt.

Thumbnail by SkeptikSharon
Oakland, MD

really cant help you without a picture of the bee itself =/

Ontario, CA(Zone 8b)

I didn't really think you'd be able to. I tried to get a picture of one of the bees I see around the lavender, which is the closest plant to this little hole. He wouldn't sit still long enough. But he does look like a normal bee. I don't even know if that is the one that is flying in and out of that hole. We have bees all over the place, as it is.

I was more hoping that someone could tell me that the hole DEFINITELY does not look like yellow jackets. Though I kind of figured even that would need a pic of the little beast. =)

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
BACK TO TOP