# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Western Leafcutter Bee](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Megachile_perihirta%252C_Derrick_Ditchburn%252CI_SD11753.jpg&width=800) Photo: Derrick Ditchburn, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Megachile_perihirta%252C_Derrick_Ditchburn%252CI_SD11753.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Megachilidae - **Genus:** Megachile ## 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 - **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. - **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. - **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 - **Pollinates:** Common Sunflower (*Helianthus annuus*) — Gathers nectar and pollen from sunflower blooms. - **Pollinates:** [Alfalfa](https://www.snappit.app/explore/alfalfa) (*Medicago sativa*) — An important pollinator for alfalfa crops. - **Eaten by:** [Goldenrod Crab Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/goldenrod-crab-spider) (*Misumena vatia*) — Spiders ambush foraging bees on flowers. - **Eaten by:** [Say's Phoebe](https://www.snappit.app/explore/says-phoebe) (*Sayornis saya*) — Insectivorous bird that preys on bees in flight. ## 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. - [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 Leafcutter bees are not aggressive, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Western 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 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 ## Where to spot - [Bamberton Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bamberton-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-rodd-hill-and-fisgard-lighthouse-national-historic-sites) — British Columbia, CA · Museum ## 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: [Western Leafcutter Bee: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-leafcutter-bee)