Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur

Sitio realizado por aficionados a la observación de aves desde 10 de enero 2006

Leaf cutter bee - Megachile sp.


Order Hymenoptera
Family Megachilidae
Leaf cutter bee
30-04-19 © Lucas Rubio
Leaf cutter bee
28-11-16 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Leaf cutter bee
28-11-16 © Gustavo F. Brahamian

Megachile bees are solitary. They have a scopa which is a thick tuft of hairs on the underside of the abdomen to carry pollen. The head is big and the mandibles have sharp edges which allow them to cut leaves or petals to build the cells with.

They nest in natural cavities in the soil or trees, but some species also accept artificial nests and they have been used as pollinators of plants of agricultural interest.