bees

[zingara]

Hi, this is a crossover between nature and gardening.
Today whilst tidying up my mint plant tub, I found some large grubs in the soil. Thinking they were vine weevils I put them into the garden waste bin. I then discovered a bee under the soil which began beating its wings and buzzing. I felt sad for it and put it in another pot, into shallow soil, as I had no idea to how deep it had been before I had disturbed it. I am now wondering if the grubs that I have removed are actually the larvae of the bee. They are chunky and white with a brown head. I have left the others in the soil for the time being until I know for sure what they are. Since disturbing the bee I then noticed another bee walking wearily on the ground, I'm not sure if it's the same one but (being soft for nature) I'm now concerned that it might die, as today was very warm but the evening is cold. In future how can a bee be protected from the cold if it has been disturbed? Also, do they hibernate in soil? Maybe it will sort itself out but I am still curious to know about the larvea if any one can offer advice. Thank you.

[237SJ]

I don`t know what the larvae look like but the bee could be a tawny mining bee (Andrena Fulva). They nest in the ground (I get them in my lawn) and they come out in the spring. Maybe you could google for larvae pictures.

[zingara]

Hi, Thank you, I did google prior to posting and the grubs looked very much like vine weevil as I first suspected but I wanted to check incase they could have been bee larvae. Thank you for the name of the bee I looked it up and it fits the description of a female. Poor little thing I woke it up. The mint plants came out of the pot very easily so I guess the grubs have had a good munch on the roots.

[keenonhist]

If the grubs are white in colour and curled up when disturbed and have legs just to the front of their bodies,then I would suspect they are vine weevils grubs. KILL.
keenonhist

[Ann]

I have always been puzzled by this too - sometimes in the Spring I hear loud buzzing from a plant pot and on investigation its a bee burrowed in to the soil which then flies away - do they hibernate buried deep in the soil?

[carlton23]

Sounds like Leaf-cutter bees to me, which are quite harmless as they make a cocoon out of leaves for their young to feed on.

[suechu]

Just butting in to say, I love bees but hate wasps.

[julia-mag]

I usually spend a long time when I clear out my hanging baskets sifting through the soil carefully for the vine weevil grubs, put them in a jar and then hold them on my hand for the robin who just sits in the hedge right in front of the garden shed waiting, and he hops over and back so quickly till they have all gone. Magic!

[SpikeyBush]

suechu I only hate wasps once they have got themselves Brahms & Liszt on the rotten windfalls from my pear tree. Early in the Summer they hoover up aphids from my roses and runner beans. They are well behaved then. Anyone want to start an AA group for tipsy striped b*stards in September?

[zingara]

Julia-Mag, I will do the same now I feel sure that they are vine weevil. as pesky as they are I find it difficult to kill them, giving them to nature is the best alternative. The bee is still alive I placed it in a cardboard box to hopefully protect it a little from the cold. I know how it must feel 1 day it's brilliant sunshine and 17°C the next it drops to 4°C.

[rowanwitch]

boozy wasp traps emptied on lawn rat ar5ed magpies very funny