mason bee

any of numerous solitary bees, as of the family Megachilidae, that construct nests of clay.

Origin of mason bee

First recorded in 1765–75

This makes it convenient all around; for, like almost all insect mothers, Mrs. Mason-Bee is never there after the babies come.

The Adventures of a Grain of Dust |Hallam Hawksworth
Lastly, if a cobble be wanting, the Mason-bee will establish her nest on any sort of stone, on a mile-stone or a boundary-wall.

The Mason-bees |J. Henri Fabre
When the Mason-bee refrains, therefore, this is not due to helplessness on her part, nor to any defect in the material employed.

The Mason-bees |J. Henri Fabre
In this way the old nest of the Mason-bee of the Pebbles is colonized, cell after cell, by a single mother.

Bramble-bees and Others |J. Henri Fabre

It was thus that I first made the acquaintance of the Mason-bee.

Insect Adventures |J. Henri Fabre

mason bee

any bee of the family Megachilidae that builds a hard domelike nest of sand, clay, etc, held together with saliva