Digger Bee Squatters’ Rights
You know the nozzle sprayers that go on the end of your garden hose? I have one unused in my yard, just sitting on a shelf between some plants. I just had the feeling something was using that nozzle, and not for watering. Then I spotted something fly into and out again of the hose end of it, the part with the threading. I peeked inside with a flashlight, and saw the little resident:
Something's living in my nozzle.
Not sure what species he is, but it’s got to be some sort of ground or digger bee. I watched as he built that little wall out of pieces of sand he collected.
Such a beautiful little guy (or girl)! I wouldn’t evict him. After taking my photos (using a flashlight to light up the tube) I thanked the bee for its patience and left the nozzle in place.
Here’s the same shot cropped to 100%:
Anyone with any input to ID this creature, please feel free to post a comment. Or just post because you feel like it.
Same shot cropped to 100%
Bye bee!
UPDATE (10-14-11): The kind folks at bugguide.net have identified this critter as Centris nitida, or the oil-collecting bee, a recent arrival from Mexico or Central America, established in South Florida, and sporadically in other areas in the U.S.
Kenneth Setzer 