Lifecycle of the Blue Mason Bee
Early Spring
Adult bees break through mud walls and emerge from the bee box nests. The male bees, who leave the nest 2 weeks before the females, patiently wait for the females so that the mating process can begin. Once the female bees make it to the outside world (before their wings have a chance to dry) they are attacked and fertilized by the male bees.
Late Spring
Females lay both fertilized and unfertilized eggs in the nesting holes and a mixture of pollen and nectar (bee pudding) is placed next to each egg. All of the fertilized eggs will produce female bees, whereas unfertilized ones will produce males.
Summer
Larvae are developing into cocoons within the nesting hole. Fall Bees that emerged in early spring have now completely died off. The female bees die after laying about 35 eggs in the nesting box whereas the males die immediately after mating or being sacrificed to predators.