I got the Mason Bee reminder email this month to go and harvest my bee larva. Searching through the natural phragmite reeds by allowing sunlight to illuminate the plugged ends, I was able to identify only one reed that seemed to have something in it. So, I cracked the open end and peeled it apart to find Mason bee larva huddled between the mud plugs that their mother made.

After giving them a cold water dip to wash off frass and tiny lice-like creatures, I counted 1 male (small) and 5 female (large) cocoons!

I placed the cocoons in the HumidiBee humidifier and placed it in the fridge for the winter. Gosh, I hope they make it! I might have to order more bees since I didn't get a large batch this time.