Hello  David,
    Yes, there is a reference. Here it is ( if my memory doesn't fail
me) Kevan, P.G. 1991. Beekeeping: promoting alternative
pollinators. Published by: Can. Fruitgrower Vol. 25.
     The majority of wild bees and there are about 20,000+ species
are not social. They often live in small nests started be a single
female bee (foundress). She collects all the food necessary to rear
her offspring. After she lays her eggs, she then leaves the nest never
to see her offspring again. In some species, solitary bees may nest
communally forming large nest aggregations. Traffic around these nest
sites may resemble that seen around honey bee hives. Since some of
these bees have strong fidelity for certain host plants and are quite
pleasant to work with, they may be excellent candidates for
commercial management. Some commercially reared bees
include: (1) the alfalfa leafcutting bee, Megachile rotundata; (2)
the orchard bee, Osmia lignaria; (3) The alkali bee, Nomia melanderi
(4) and some species of bumble bees, the list goes on!
 
Good hunting!                             -Blair
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                            "BEES OR BUST"
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                  ____________________________________
                  BLAIR SAMPSON
                  Dept. of Biology
                  Acadia University
                  Wolfville, N.S.
                  BOP 1XO, Canada
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