[CaliforniaMama]

Not all bees make their own hives. Some bees need the help of these bee hotels.


Image Credit Flickr User Versinia.

The hotels do not need to follow any specific design to attract the bees. The design is for the pleasure of the builder.


Image Credit Flickr User Joe Thomissen.

Only a few rules must be followed. The holes need to be smooth and they need to tilt a little so they don't fill up with rain water.


Image Credit Flickr User Picture Esk.

These tubes are used to make more bees. Bees oviposit their single eggs to gestate.

In order to do that the insect will have to kill another insect and pull it in to its chosen hole in the hotel. She will then oviposit and seal the hole, leaving her infant to hatch in good time. The bee will plug the hole with mud so that the larva can develop without any interference.

Image Credit Flickr User Max xx.


Image Credit Flickr User Nigel Jones.

Visit The Ark in Space for more great pics and story.