Vadméhek

Vadméhek is a Swedish term that translates to "wild bees" or "solitary bees." It generally refers to all bee species that are not bumblebees or honeybees, and that do not live in large social colonies. Instead, these bees typically live solitary lives, with each female bee building and provisioning her own nest.

The nests of vadméhek are diverse and depend on the species. Some species nest in the ground, excavating small tunnels in bare soil. Others build their nests in pre-existing cavities such as hollow plant stems, beetle burrows in deadwood, or even small holes in artificial structures. Each nest consists of a series of cells, where the female bee lays an egg and provisions it with a mixture of pollen and nectar. The female then seals the cell and moves on to create the next one.

Vadméhek play a crucial role as pollinators in many ecosystems. Unlike social bees that may focus on a few preferred plant species, solitary bees often have broader diets and visit a wide variety of flowers. This makes them efficient pollinators for many wild plants and also for agricultural crops. Their solitary nature means they are generally less aggressive than social bees and are not typically a stinging concern for humans unless directly threatened. Their conservation is important for maintaining biodiversity and healthy plant communities.