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Leafcutter Bee Nesting

Megachile sp.

Photo by Small Wonders
Published on Project Noah
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42.9615, -85.6557

Field Notes

Description:

This unidentified leafcutter bee species seems to be highly efficient in nest construction, as over 6 nests have been completed within the last 3 weeks. (Compared to another nesting species, M. pugnata, that has been constructing for 3 weeks, and still has not completed a nest.) Each cavity within the nesting box will contain approximately 6 cells with a single egg laid within each cell. This particular bee was observed collecting pollen & nectar, to provision the cells, from nearby Echinacea & Great Blue Lobelia. She then would cut near perfect circles from Hollyhock petals and Wild Rose leaves to seal each cell.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (18)

Thanks Luis - this is where their name comes from :)
Very interesting series, I didn't know they did that.
Thank you ceherzog! Yes I did construct the box last spring. Last season I only had mason wasps. This year I've had mason bees & leafcutter bees.
Thank you everyone for your comments! Observing the nesting habits of this tiny leafcutter bee has been a fascinating experience :)
What a fantastic series of photos and information.
By the way, did you construct the box?
This is a great series...fantastic!
Such an amazing series. It is so great to see them in the process of cutting leaves and petals. A truly fascinating and wonderful species.

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