chrysalis in ash tree?

[Meadowcopse]

I was removing some high rotted branches from a hedgerow ash tree and found the following green chrysalis structures - about 8mm dia by 20mm long each and tightly wrapped from leaves...

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/sQp0r2zMWkO10Sk68U2Rrw?feat=directlink

[Stephen1]

Hi meadowcopse

I suspect not a chrysalis but the 'nest' of a leaf cutter bee. Hard to tell from the picture what sort - but almost certainly the 'nest' of a solitary bee of some kind. The original tunnel would have been made by a beetle grub, solitary bees don't usually excavate their own holes, which has then been re-used by the bee. Each 'packet' will contain a single egg and be provisioned with food.

[tracy]

Stephen, you are FULL of interesting information!

[Meadowcopse]

Thanks, looks to be the leaf cutter bee...