Latin: Colletes Daviesanus
The Plasterer bee is a solitary bee. Meaning that unlike the honeybee, it does not form larger communities with other plasterer bees. The do occur in colonies that share a larger area. The female plasterer bee builds a nest for itself and its larvae, but several females do not live together, and the males are unwelcoming in these nests.
It can be difficult for an ordinary person to distinguish between a plasterer bee and a honeybee, or a completely different kind of bee. Which type of species that just flown past one really do not matter unless it stings.
The plaster bee is in general not aggressive, although they have a sting. In a completely normal situation, however, there is not much to be afraid of when one crosses path with a plaster bee.
Appearance
A plasterer bee simply looks like a regular bee. Its body is striped, yet one will notice a difference in color. The honeybee has a recognizable black and yellow color, the stripes of the plasterer bee is white and gray black. The plasterer bee is slightly smaller than a honeybee, as they rarely more than 9 mm long. Their wings are transparent and lie flat on their backs when the plasterer bee is resting.
You will rarely see a plasterer bee larva unless you punch a hole in the wall. As it is in the walls the plasterer bee lives.
They lay their eggs in cells, which they seal immediately after laying. The larva is white and robust looking, and it is completely dependent on a stock of honey and pollen until it pupates, as it remains in its cell until then. After pupation, the adult plasterer bee emerges, which is around July.
Biology and behavior
Plasterer bees can be recognized by the fact that they stay near walls and wall surfaces. Here they dig their vital passages in the clay and loose mortar. The passages are horizontal, and they are typically 10-20 cm deep. You can recognize a hole in your wall as a plasterer bee hole if it is straight and you can get a pencil into the hole. Typically, there will be several holes near by and they will be similar in size.
During the summer month, you will see several plasterer bees sunbathing on the surface of the wall. They are especially active during the noon on hot summer days when they are not looking for food, a mate, or a place to lay their eggs.
Damage
In general, the plasterer bee does not cause much damage, even though they can make a damage wall a bit more damage. Plasterer bees and other insects use existing holes in a brickwork making it easier for them to make their passages and cells for their eggs. In worst case, their damage can cause the collapses of brickwork such as chimneys.
Prevention and control
The easiest way to prevent plasterer bee and other insects that might move into the brickwork is to keep an eye on the conditions of the brickwork. If you discover holes or loose mortar you should remove the loose mortar and all holes and irregularities should be sealed with a stronger mortar, which makes it more difficult for the plasterer bee to dig into.
In some cases, they can be controlled by using ordinary insect powder. You simply powder the entrance holes and the affected areas with the given insect powder. This is best done in dry weather so that the powder is not washed or blown away. In severe cases, you can scratch out the plaster bee, their larvae as well as the loose mortar, then add a stronger mortar. This should be done in early spring, as there the bees are not active. If you do this during their active period, you will worsen the problem, as it will be easier for them to dig into the mortar.
"Pests in House and Home"
"Bed Bugs - Bites, Stings and Itches"
"Food Pests"
"Husets dyreliv" (Insects Around the House - Only danish)
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