Early bees

Most ground-nesting bees are called 'solitary' because they don't make hives or have the roles typical of social bees.

However, large numbers may nest in a relatively small area. In part, this is because desirable nest sites (with bare ground and fairly sandy soil) are often localized. The other reason is it serves reproduction.

When males emerge, they buzz around the area looking for females, usually just a few inches above the ground. When a male detects a female, he will follow into a tunnel.

The nest holes are visible in the sandy soil. They are about the diameter of a pencil. Some have small piles of excavated soil but others do not.