Leafcutter Bees
Colonies and nests created by bees are fascinating examples of reusing materials that surround a habitat. The bee family Megachilidae is
known as the architect of the bee world, creating long chambers for their little baby bees to hatch in. Not all bees live in giant colonies, like
the honey bee. Most bees are solitary; each family of bees creating individual nests depending on their needs.
The nickname, Leafcutter Bee, explains exactly what they do — they cut leaves! The female Leafcutting Bee is responsible for building a
“nursery” for her little larvae. She finds a suitable space in preexisting tubular cavities (basically holes). These cavities could be in hollow
stems, rotting wood, empty tunnels left by beetles, snail shells and even man made holes in buildings! This is a totally tubular example of
reusing material.
Read more: Natve Bee Parasites: Wasps
Leafcutter Bee |
Habitat: |
Woodland, gardens, farms and orchards |
Development: |
Complete metamorphosis |
Food: |
Herbivore |
Flight Period: |
All summer |
Description: |
Some are black; others are smoky-gray with pale stripes |
Length: |
Some are larger than honey bees, and some so small they elude
notice by the casual observer |
Leafcutter Bees are cavity dwelling bees that lay their eggs in existing holes. They do
not create holes or damage structures to make holes. Leafcutter Bees stay close to
home, foraging for pollen and nectar within 300 feet of the nest. This proximity
makes them an attractive pollinator for summer yards and gardens. There are more
than 130 species of spring and summer solitary bees in North America alone.
When the female Leafcutter Bee finds a cavity that is long and wide enough, she begins to carefully line the hole with leaves and petals to
create a nice and comfortable brood chamber (this is the nursery). When she finishes one chamber she will lay her egg and provide pollen
for the larva to eat.
Each chamber is home to one egg which means the female Leafcutting Bee is constantly adding chambers until the hole is
filled. Each chamber is separated by a wall made up of chewed leaves and mixed with resin. When the baby bees mature they are thankful
for the home their mother has created and they stay the winter in their cozy chambers. When the spring arrives the adult bees chew their
way through the chambers and exit the nest.
The Leafcutter Bee is a productive pollinator for summer gardens and flowers. The female
carries pollen on the underside of her hairy abdomen, and then scrapes the pollen off within
her nesting hole. Because the pollen is carried dry on her hair, it falls off easily as she
moves among blossoms. This results in significantly more pollinated flowers than her
cousin, the honey bee, who wets the pollen so it sticks to the legs during transport to
the hive.
Not all bees have hives, some have nesting holes like nature's architect, the Leafcutter Bee.
All leafcutter bees are solitary, meaning each female is a queen who does all of the
chores. Each performs all of the duties that an entire honey bee hive might undertake:
gathering pollen and nectar, laying eggs, and ensuring her eggs are protected
when she’s not there by sealing them with cut leaf bits. Leafcutter Bees appear to
like company because they build their nests near one another. There is no sharing
of nests, however.
How do you identify these bees? Leafcutter Bees are similar in size to honeybees. The females are larger than the males and have a
triangular shaped abdomen that ends in a point. The males can be identified by their smaller, blunt pointed abdomens and their long
antennae. The leafcutter has a larger head than most bees due to extra muscles they have developed to help them chew through leaves.
The females even have teeth! An interesting difference between leafcutters and honeybees is that leafcutters carry pollen on the underside
of their abdomen rather than on their legs like honeybees. This creates bright yellow/gold colored bee butts that are easy to spot.
They live 5 to 6 weeks
They do NOT produce honey
Imported to North America about 60 years ago
Extremely gentle
The female does everything
Solitary
Dry pollen fall off everywhere - extremely effective pollinator
The leafcutter bee is extremely gentle and allows you to confidently get inches from
her nesting hole without fear of being stung. Since each female performs all the duties,
she doesn’t have time to also defend her nesting hole. Therefore, there’s no need for
aggression. Although Leafcutter Bees have stingers, they will only sting if their life is
threatened. More times than not, stings are caused by being caught in clothing and
bee feels it is being squished. Even if you are unfortunate enough to be stung, the
effects are generally no worse than a mosquito bite. In fact, you are more likely to be
bit by their mandibles before you will be stung.
She does have a couple of built-in defenses for her hole. She seals each egg chamber
with cut leaf bits to protect her eggs from predators while she is away. Also, once she
claims a hole, other Leafcutter Bees will honor it. She might visit someone else’s hole
by accident while looking for hers, but she won’t lay eggs anywhere but in her own
home.
It doesn’t take much money or time to raise leafcutter bees. Nesting holes, housing
and bees are quite affordable, and come in a variety of price ranges. Also, there is no
need for protective gear, since they rarely sting, nor expensive equipment to buy.
In terms of time, plan about 15 minutes to select a location and set up your house.
Warning! When your bees emerge and start pollinating, you’ll have to set aside time
to observe them. Time flies as you watch them laying eggs for next season’s bees!
In late August, after bee activity stops, store filled nesting holes (open ends up) in
an unheated garage or shed that is dry and secure. This will protect them from pests.
Overwinter bee larvae in the nesting holes until next summer. That takes about 10
minutes. In just 1 to 2 hours a year of your time, you’ll get a healthy garden yield
and amazing garden companions.
A bonus is that you’ll typically increase your bee cocoons from when you started.
Place your house with
nesting material facing the early morning sun. The warmth wakes your bees earlier to start pollinating.
Follow the setup instructions.
The leafcutter bee
seals each egg with cut leaf bits. If she can’t find the right type of leaf (like the non-fibrous rose or lilac
leaf) to cut and carry in her legs to the nest, she’ll leave your yard and set up her home elsewhere. This
is the number one problem people face. Compare what rose leaves look like in comparison to other
leaves in your yard. Not too thick, nor too thin, and with few veins.
Store filled nesting
holes (open ends up) in an unheated garage or shed that is dry and secure, after bee activity stops.
Overwinter bee larvae in the nesting holes until next summer. Leaving them outdoors exposes them to
pests and weather elements.
The bee's basic nutritional requirements are similar to those of humans; they need proteins, carbohydrates,
minerals, fats/lipids, vitamins, and water. Learn More!
Take this quick quiz and see how much you know about Bumble Bees—our favorite essential pollinators
working around the world. This quiz is intended for fun, in a random-facts-can-be-cool kind of way.
Wild bees need our help. Many populations are declining due to habitat loss, disease and pesticide poisoning.
Each of us can create habitat to support local bee populations.