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Western Leafcutter Bee

Megachile perihirta

The Western Leafcutter Bee is a small, friendly bee that loves to collect leaves to make its nest. These bees are important for helping flowers grow by spreading pollen.

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The Western Leafcutter Bee is a medium-sized bee, typically dark-bodied with bands of pale hairs on its abdomen. It has a fuzzy appearance, especially on its head and thorax, which can range from yellowish to grey. It is distinctive for carrying pollen on a dense brush of hairs (scopa) on its underside, rather than on its legs.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyMegachilidaeGenusMegachile
Western Leafcutter Bee
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Western Leafcutter Bee

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Each baby bee gets its own leafy bedroom, sealed up tight with plant glue for safety!

Female leafcutter bees build solo nests, creating individual nurseries for each of their babies!

They are expert 'surgeons' of leaves, cutting perfect circles without harming the plant!

Unlike honeybees, they carry pollen on their tummies, making them look extra fuzzy underneath!

Special abilities

Ability

Leaf Architects

Western Leafcutter Bee can precisely cut circular pieces from leaves because of its strong mandibles, which helps them build safe, cylindrical nest cells for their young.

Ability

Belly Basket

Western Leafcutter Bee has special, thick hairs (scopa) on its abdomen that help them carry large amounts of pollen, making them efficient pollinators.

Ability

Mud Masons

Western Leafcutter Bee can use mud, chewed plant matter, and resin to seal their individual nest chambers, protecting their developing larvae from predators.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
15-25 mm
Size
8-15 mm
Lifespan
30-60 days
Flight Speed
15 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

These busy bees feed on nectar for energy and pollen for protein from a variety of flowering plants.

Primary Foods

  • Nectar
  • Pollen
  • Wildflower nectar
  • Alfalfa pollen

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Leafcutter bees are not aggressive, but it's best to watch them from a distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Western Leafcutter Bee's wingspan?

15-25 mm

How big is Western Leafcutter Bee?

8-15 mm

How long does Western Leafcutter Bee live?

30-60 days

How fast can Western Leafcutter Bee fly?

15 km/h

What does Western Leafcutter Bee eat?

These busy bees feed on nectar for energy and pollen for protein from a variety of flowering plants.

Where is Western Leafcutter Bee usually found?

Urban areas

How does Western Leafcutter Bee hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Western Leafcutter Bee have?

6

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