Leafcutter bees are members of the genus Megachile. Along with resin and mason bees, they make up the Megachilidae family (Serrano). There are 131 different species of leafcutter bees native to North America although most of the species are too poorly known to have common names. Of those, 28 species are found in Kansas (Young et al.). They are moderately-sized, varying from 5 to 24 millimeters in length (Serrano). Their appearance is mostly black with several whitish hair bands across the abdomen ("Leafcutter").
The vast majority of the lifespan of a leafcutter bee is spent inside of a nest. After hatching, the prepupal larvae remains in that stage over winter. It will then pupate in the early spring (Young et al.). By late summer the larvae …show more content…
They use quarter to half inch circular pieces of leaves which they cut with their mandibles (Serrano). The bees use the cut leaves to line their nest. Each nest consists of repeating segments or cells of nesting material, larvae, and pollen. The pollen provides food for the bee until it emerges from the nest. Each cell will produce one adult bee. Once a nest is full the female will seal it with a secretion and move to a new location (Beckman). While most species produce a single brood per year, some may have multiple (Young et al.).
The leaves used to make nests can come from almost any broadleaf deciduous plant although rose, lilac, and Virginia creeper leaves are preferred (Serrano). Damage caused to ornamental plants such as these can cause leafcutter bees to be viewed as a pest. It is difficult to prevent damaging activities because the bees do not eat the leaves, which makes pesticides ineffective. The most effective method of hindrance is to lay a cheesecloth or another form of netting over the plant …show more content…
These include a wide variety of natural predators, pesticides, habitat loss, and destruction of natural vegetation (Beckman). These bees play an important role in the ecosystem not only due to their pollinating capabilities, but because they provide food for birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians ("Leafcutter"). Their nests are attacked by many parasitoids looking to eat the pollen or larvae including flies, wasps, beetles, and ants (Serrano). There is even an introduced leafcutter species which lays its eggs in the nests of others and in that way steals the pollen (Serrano). While most pesticides are not lethal to leafcutter bees, they still pose a significant threat. They can cause behavioral impairment and affect their ability to reproduce (Young et al.). Climate change is another factor impacting the population. Although it does not kill them directly, warm weather later in the year and even in winter causes bees to lose more fat during their prepupal stage in the nest. Prolonged droughts can be detrimental by causing a shortage of food and nesting material. However, there is some evidence to suggest that leafcutter bees can remain in their nest for more than one season if they sense an especially dry atmosphere (Young et
The vast majority of the lifespan of a leafcutter bee is spent inside of a nest. After hatching, the prepupal larvae remains in that stage over winter. It will then pupate in the early spring (Young et al.). By late summer the larvae …show more content…
They use quarter to half inch circular pieces of leaves which they cut with their mandibles (Serrano). The bees use the cut leaves to line their nest. Each nest consists of repeating segments or cells of nesting material, larvae, and pollen. The pollen provides food for the bee until it emerges from the nest. Each cell will produce one adult bee. Once a nest is full the female will seal it with a secretion and move to a new location (Beckman). While most species produce a single brood per year, some may have multiple (Young et al.).
The leaves used to make nests can come from almost any broadleaf deciduous plant although rose, lilac, and Virginia creeper leaves are preferred (Serrano). Damage caused to ornamental plants such as these can cause leafcutter bees to be viewed as a pest. It is difficult to prevent damaging activities because the bees do not eat the leaves, which makes pesticides ineffective. The most effective method of hindrance is to lay a cheesecloth or another form of netting over the plant …show more content…
These include a wide variety of natural predators, pesticides, habitat loss, and destruction of natural vegetation (Beckman). These bees play an important role in the ecosystem not only due to their pollinating capabilities, but because they provide food for birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians ("Leafcutter"). Their nests are attacked by many parasitoids looking to eat the pollen or larvae including flies, wasps, beetles, and ants (Serrano). There is even an introduced leafcutter species which lays its eggs in the nests of others and in that way steals the pollen (Serrano). While most pesticides are not lethal to leafcutter bees, they still pose a significant threat. They can cause behavioral impairment and affect their ability to reproduce (Young et al.). Climate change is another factor impacting the population. Although it does not kill them directly, warm weather later in the year and even in winter causes bees to lose more fat during their prepupal stage in the nest. Prolonged droughts can be detrimental by causing a shortage of food and nesting material. However, there is some evidence to suggest that leafcutter bees can remain in their nest for more than one season if they sense an especially dry atmosphere (Young et