Following on from a most interesting talk by John Walters to the North Dartmoor Garden Club last night we have had the following from our own Chris Walpole. John’s talk ‘The Secret World of the Undergrowth’ included amazing video clips from many mini beasts we know little about and Chris has been following one of John’s examples in Belstone Cleave.
Ivy Bees
Over the last two months hundreds of small holes have appeared across the earthy parts of The Cliff, the rocky outcrop covering several hundred square metres about halfway along the north side of Belstone Cleave. These holes, which lead into tunnels, are the work of female Ivy Bees and have been easily visible from the path which cuts diagonally across The Cliff. These bees were first seen in the UK 25 years ago but I have never knowingly seen any in our parish before. Although they are classed as ‘solitary’ bees, on sunny days this south-facing area has been covered with them, all coming and going from their own personal holes. As these holes may be as much as 30cm long I wonder how often they accidentally intersect with each other underground? As their name implies these bees gather pollen almost exclusively from ivy – I have watched the most successful returning to the colony with yellow pollen all over their back legs before disappearing into their holes.
As November arrives, and the weather becomes unsettled, all this activity will cease and the entrances to the holes will probably earth over . . . but with a bit of luck new bees will emerge from the tunnels next September and the cycle will begin again.
Chris Walpole
