Just discovered a delightful page on the RHS's Wild about Gardens website (link below). In an article titled 'build a bee hotel' is this marvellous description of how baby bees emerge from their birth cells:
"All being well, the bees hatch in spring, almost a year after they were laid as eggs. The oldest wakes up first but can't get out because it has several siblings in front of it. So it breaks down the mud wall and bites the rear end of the bee in front. This process is repeated until the front bee gets the message and emerges, leaving the way clear for its brothers and sisters."
To read more about bum-biting mason bees, go to:
http://www.wildaboutgardens.org/Gardening/DoOneThing/BeeHotel.aspx or hit the link opposite.
