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Project Noah Nature School
Megachile sp.
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.
Spotted on Aug 3, 2012
Submitted on Aug 3, 2012
18 Comments
Thank you Adam, Lee & Sarah :)
awesome series
Neat experience.
Brilliant series!
Thanks Luis - this is where their name comes from :)
Very interesting series, I didn't know they did that.
Thank you Emma :)
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.
awesome!
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!
Wow! Brilliant photos!
Wonderful! Great photos; lots of behavior. Nice job!!
Wow sensacional series felicidades
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.
Wonderful series!