# Flat-tailed Leafcutter Bee (*Megachile mendica*) The Flat-tailed Leafcutter Bee is a small, friendly bee that loves to collect leaves. They use the leaves to build cozy nests for their babies. These bees are important for helping flowers grow by spreading pollen. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Flat-tailed Leafcutter Bee](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Megachile_mendica.jpg&width=800) Photo: USGS Native Bee Inventory and Monitoring Laboratory, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Megachile_mendica.jpg) ## Appearance The Flat-tailed Leafcutter Bee is a medium-sized bee with a black body covered in dense whitish hairs, especially on its face and the underside of its abdomen. Females have a prominent brush of golden-yellow hairs beneath their belly for collecting pollen, and their abdomen often appears somewhat flattened. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Megachilidae - **Genus:** Megachile ## Interesting facts - A female bee can lay up to 20 eggs, each in its own leafy chamber. - Leafcutter bees don't sting unless aggressively handled, making them gentle giants! - These bees prefer to use leaves from roses and lilacs for their nests! - They often choose hollow stems or rotting wood to build their amazing nests. ## Special abilities - **Precision Cutter:** Flat-tailed Leafcutter Bee can snip perfect circular pieces from leaves using strong jaws, which helps them build sturdy, camouflaged nests. - **Belly Carrier:** Flat-tailed Leafcutter Bee has a unique fuzzy brush on its belly that helps them carry massive amounts of pollen, making them excellent pollinators. - **Tunnel Architect:** Flat-tailed Leafcutter Bee can construct individual cells within tunnels using leaf pieces, providing safe, custom nurseries for their young. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 15-25 mm - **Size:** 8-12 mm - **Lifespan:** 20-60 days - **Flight Speed:** 18 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding They sip nectar for energy and gather pollen to feed their babies. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Pollen, Helianthus annuus, Trifolium repens - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** [Multiflora Rose](https://www.snappit.app/explore/multiflora-rose) (*Rosa multiflora*) — Gathers leaf pieces and pollen from flowers. - **Pollinates:** Common Sunflower (*Helianthus annuus*) — Collects nectar and pollen from its blooms. - **Eaten by:** [Goldenrod Crab Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/goldenrod-crab-spider) (*Misumena vatia*) — Ambush predator waiting on flowers for bees. - **Parasitizes:** Sapyga Wasp (*Sapyga pumila*) — Lays eggs in the bee's nest cells. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Be gentle and quiet around bees; they are usually not dangerous and just want to collect food. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Flat-tailed Leafcutter Bee? Compare the antennae, wings, waist, body hair and legs. Yellow and black stripes show up on bees, wasps and harmless mimics alike. Bee & Wasp Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Flat-tailed Leafcutter Bee's wingspan? 15-25 mm ### How big is Flat-tailed Leafcutter Bee? 8-12 mm ### How long does Flat-tailed Leafcutter Bee live? 20-60 days ### How fast can Flat-tailed Leafcutter Bee fly? 18 km/h ### What does Flat-tailed Leafcutter Bee eat? They sip nectar for energy and gather pollen to feed their babies. ### Where is Flat-tailed Leafcutter Bee usually found? Urban areas ### How does Flat-tailed Leafcutter Bee hunt? Foraging ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Flat-tailed Leafcutter Bee: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/flat-tailed-leafcutter-bee)