Patchwork Leafcutter Bee

Description:

Megachile centuncularis, commonly known as the patchwork leafcutter bee,is a species of bee in the family Megachilidae. The Megachilidae are long-tongued, solitary bees, characterized by a rectangular labrum, the flap-like structure at the front of the mouth. They carry pollen on hairs on the underside of the abdomen. This species is about 2 cm (0.8 in) long and is largely black, the abdominal segments being fringed with golden hairs and the underside of the abdomen being clad with orange hairs.

Habitat:

Seen in my Bee hotel.

Notes:

This bee makes its nest in a variety of locations; in wood, in hollow stems, in wall cavities or crevices, or even soil, and has been known to use an upturned flowerpot. The bee uses its jaws like scissors to cut pieces of leaf to place in the nest; often rose leaves are used, or honeysuckle, horse chestnut, ash, birch or lilac. At the nest site, pieces of leaf are rolled up, provisioned with pollen, and one egg is laid in each package. Finally the nest entrance is sealed with about six discs of leaf.