Is there an entomologist in the house?

Gang:

This morning, I noticed some sawdust near the stake in one of my plants. Upon 
further inspection, I discovered a perfectly round hole with a beveled edge 
in the stake about 14 inches above ground level. Thinking my husband probably 
tried a drill bit out on this stake, I forgot about it until I went outside 
just now to turn the misters on. 

While approaching the garden, I saw a large, purple/black velvety bumble bee 
flying about, then disappear into the hole in this stake. My husband 
appeared, and without saying a word I showed him the hole...he tells me he 
has seen these holes in wood before, and that a large purple bumble bee does 
that. I knew he was telling the truth.

Of course, I am beside myself, having grown AG in such blissful, vine 
borer-free conditions, then to see a bumble bee capable of boring a perfect 
hole through a wooden stake leaves me feeling unsettled. Looks like I'll be 
searching the web this afternoon. 

If anyone has any knowledge of this bee, it's name and habits, I would 
welcome your knowledge.

It's definitely a bee, fat bodied, buzzing short and stubby wings and 
blackish purple in color. At first glance, I thought it was a regular bumble 
bee that was just dirty. There is nothing about this insect to suggest it is 
anything other than a bee. Neither looks nor acts like a borer moth.

Frass, vine borer, any chewing insect for that matter means all out war. On 
guard. Good thing we planned our next Diazinon treatment tomorrow PM. My 
cherry laurel trees are in bloom and the bees are out, so hate having to 
spray.....

Barb
Looks like Dr. Ferrer, entomolgist at the university will be seeing me Monday 
AM.

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