Did you know, that only 30% of Australia’s native bees nest in pre-existing cavities, such as bee hotels. The other 70% nest in the ground. As she digs a vertical burrow, the female bee mostly uses her mandibles to move soil up and behind her body. Once an appropriate amount of soil has gathered behind her, the bee pushes the load up and out of the burrow, using sonication of her body to assist in the excavation.
Most ground nesting, native bees range from 5mm to 13mm in length. Some dig relatively shallow burrows, with multiple corridors branching off from the main tunnel. Brood cells are constructed at the end of each corridor. Others, like some Ctenocolletes species, excavate burrows as deep as 3 metres! That’s a lot of work for a little bee.
So, it’s important that we keep these little diggers in mind when we go out to the garden with our shovels. Or, more commonly, with our wheelbarrow full of mulch. Just imagine how hard it is to dig through all that bark chip when you’re only 5mm long!
Try to dedicate an area in the garden where the mulch is sparce or absent. This may encourage your local little diggers to come and make a home in your space. And don’t forget… plant lots and lots of native flowering plants!
Imagine walking amongst almond trees that are just about to burst into bloom, with bees foraging amongst nearby native vegetation, and in cover-crops, waiting for the swollen buds to unfold. This is the picture of sustainable bee-friendly practices envisioned by the Almond Board of Australia (ABA).
Bee Friendly Farming’s popular tree grants are now open, with farmers across the country being supported to join the pledge to plant 100,000 trees for bees.
Wayfinder in Western Australia’s Margaret River wine region has wider ambitions than simply creating a delicious drop in a bottle. Theirs is a long-term vision to integrate habitat conservation, environmental restoration, and organic certification for their vineyard and farm.
Multi-generational family farmers have recently enhanced local habitat by revegetating almost a hectare of less-productive pasture. The Peel family is one of the first successful applicants for Bee Friendly Farming® certification in Australia, and they are also recent successful recipients of funding from the affiliated Tree Grants program.
