A solitary native bee that cuts perfect oval segments from leaves to construct nest cells. The neat circular cuts in rose and lilac leaves are typical signs.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
Megachilidae is a cosmopolitan family of mostly solitary bees. Characteristic traits of this family are the restriction of their pollen-carrying structure to the ventral surface of the abdomen, and their typically elongated labrum. Megachilid genera are most commonly known as mason bees and leafcutter bees, reflecting the materials from which they build their nest cells ; a few collect plant or animal hairs and fibers, and are called carder bees, while others use plant resins in nest construction and are correspondingly called resin bees. All species feed on nectar and pollen, but a few are kleptoparasites, feeding on pollen collected by other megachilid bees. Parasitic species do not possess scopae. The motion of Megachilidae in the reproductive structures of flowers is energetic and swimming-like; this agitation releases large amounts of pollen.
Source: Wikipedia — Megachilidae Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Medium-sized stocky bee with darker body and golden hairs on abdomen; carries pollen on hairs under abdomen (Megachilidae character vs. honey bees that carry pollen on hind legs).
Similar species. Other Megachilidae bees (extreme diversity; expert ID required). Honey bees (carry pollen on hind legs).
Voice. Buzz during flight.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Adults: nectar. Larvae: pollen mass provided by mother.
Behavior. Solitary native bees — each female builds her own nest. Cuts circular pieces from leaves (especially roses, redbuds, and other broadleaf plants) with her mandibles and uses them to line nest cells in hollow stems, decayed wood, or pre-made tunnels. Provisions each cell with pollen mass and one egg, then seals it. Among the most important native crop pollinators — exceptionally efficient at pollinating crops. Increasingly used as "alfalfa leafcutter bees" in commercial agriculture.
§ Range
Across North America
§ Habitat
Diverse — anywhere with flowers and wood for nests
§ Threats
Habitat loss, lawn-centric yards, pesticide drift.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the leafcutter bee is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Provide leafcutter bee houses. Skip pesticides. Tolerate neat circular leaf cuts.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Megachilidae
- www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Megachile sp.
- iNaturalist · taxon 51187
- IUCN Red List — search for Megachile sp.
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Megachile sp.
§ Sources cited
- Xerces Society
- USDA Agricultural Research Service
- Native Bee Conservancy
