Food for though or thought for food.

[CasqueAbove]

We often hear that Chameleons eat bees.

For the most part people think of honey bees.
Well there are many kinds of bees.
This article is about raising leaf cutter bees. It would suggest that raising these bees is not difficult. Further these and others are harmless, no sting.
Is it time to rethink what feeder can be raised?

https://www.acreagelife.com/lifestyle/a-better-garden-with-the-leafcutter-bee

 

[ashdavisa]

Nope, can't do it. They're just too cute ?

Keeping bees isn't hard in theory, though. They keep themselves- we just give them a nice house. Sustainability would be the main issue, plus the need for gardening to support them. I don't know how these overwinter, either. And the fact that keeping them in a chemical-free environment is hard to guarantee... Though a whole greenhouse dedicated to bees and their flowers is totally something I'd love to have.

I suppose some people could have luck in warm climates, and ship them out as a treat-feeder. Something about it just feels sacrilegious, though, considering the challenges beekeepers are facing just keeping their hives alive.

It's always worth exploring new feeders, though.

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

Umm... Wikipedia says:

The genus Megachile is a cosmopolitan group of solitary bees, often called leafcutter bees or leafcutting bees
....
The genus Megachile contains 56 subgenera with 1520 recognized species.[1] See also the list of Megachile species.

List of Megachile species (GULP!)

No wonder I couldn't find a geographical range for "leafcutter bees"!

 

[kinyonga]

Sounds like they might be ok!
https://backyardpollinator.ca/leafcutter-bees-megachile-rotundata/leafcutter-bees-at-work/

 

[CasqueAbove]

So for the record, they do sell these in larva form 200, they hatch and are active at 75 degrees.
They are seasonal, but temperature based.
You can buy these and mason bees. Actually common once you look for them. They are used in crop production so they are available. Just not marketed as feeders.

If you were growing your own you would need a garden yes. They are raised outside and lay there eggs in tubes.
It is these that are sold, they hatch in spring or summer depending on species.
This would be the natural cycle, but in reading reviews, they hatch at temp.
So it sounds like the tube could be placed in the enclosure and the eggs will hatch.

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

How do they stack up nutritionally against staples like dubias?

Think I'll stick to dubias anyway; I'm not much for things buzzing & flying around the house...

 

[Kaizen]

Just an aside: I’ve heard of one crazy Canadian keeper that plants his outdoor enclosures with lots of bee favourites, and keeps a hive of honey bees near the cages.

 

[kinyonga]

Just an aside: I’ve heard of one crazy Canadian keeper that plants his outdoor enclosures with lots of bee favourites, and keeps a hive of honey bees near the cages.

There are crazy Canadian keepers???? I'm shocked!

 

[CasqueAbove]

How do they stack up nutritionally against staples like dubias?

Think I'll stick to dubias anyway; I'm not much for things buzzing & flying around the house...

So Interesting question.

As it turns out they do lack in nutrients. Honey bees wood be the choice if we are to feed bees.

But I think these might be more availibel and easier to feed than we think.

As has been mentioned bee keepers and honey farms get rid of bees all the time. In my area I am finding many.

The second part of how do we feed without getting stung ? On that part, I am thinking if we stuck them in the fridge for a bit, they would become lethargic and not fly.

I do think there is more option here than we realize.

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

So Interesting question.

As it turns out they do lack in nutrients. Honey bees wood be the choice if we are to feed bees.

But I think these might be more availibel and easier to feed than we think.

As has been mentioned bee keepers and honey farms get rid of bees all the time. In my area I am finding many.

In the midst of Colony Collapse Disorder?

Bees and insects dying at record rates are sign of 6th mass extinction

The second part of how do we feed without getting stung ?

Yeah, I'm allergic.

On that part, I am thinking if we stuck them in the fridge for a bit, they would become lethargic and not fly.

Or you could take up smoking...

 

[CasqueAbove]

In the midst of Colony Collapse Disorder?

Bees and insects dying at record rates are sign of 6th mass extinction

Lol your not wiping out colonies. How long do you think a bee lives ? They get rid of old bees, not the colony. Think about it, it is agriculture? not a new science.

As you like
https://www.google.com/search?q=how...j69i57j0l6.18842j1j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

Lol your not wiping out colonies. How long do you think a bee lives ? They get rid of old bees, not the colony. Think about it, it is agriculture? not a new science.

As you like
https://www.google.com/search?q=how...j69i57j0l6.18842j1j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

So... what, they're like old dairy cows or laid out chickens? What do I know about bees except call the exterminator every other year to get rid of the yellow jackets. (Yeah, I know they're wasps.) I never heard of "retired" bees.

 

[CasqueAbove]

So... what, they're like old dairy cows or laid out chickens? What do I know about bees except call the exterminator every other year to get rid of the yellow jackets. (Yeah, I know they're wasps.) I never heard of "retired" bees.

Yes like dairy cows or chicken