Leafcutter Bee
ExploreInsects
Leafcutter Bee
Megachile gentilis
Leafcutter Bees are special bees that cut leaves to make their nests. They are important for pollinating plants.
Habitat: Gardens and fields
Appearance
The Leafcutter Bee has a stout, fuzzy body, often dark with bands of lighter hair. Females carry pollen on stiff hairs underneath their abdomen, making their belly look dusty or yellow. They possess large, strong mandibles used for cutting leaves.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyMegachilidaeGenusMegachile
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Did you know some leafcutter bees can be confused with wasps because they don't carry pollen in leg baskets?
Imagine having a belly full of fuzz! Female leafcutter bees use these special hairs to transport pollen, not leg baskets.
It's like a tiny, natural fortress! Their leaf-lined nests protect baby bees from the weather and many predators.
Woah! Leafcutter bees are like tiny engineers, using only their jaws to snip out perfect leaf circles for their homes!
Special abilities
Ability
Leaf-Cutting Prowess
Leafcutter Bee can precisely cut perfect leaf circles using sharp mandibles to construct safe, cozy nest cells for their young.
Ability
Belly Pollen Carrier
Leafcutter Bee has a specialized scopa (pollen brush) on its belly that helps them carry large amounts of pollen back to its nest.
Ability
Master Nest Builder
Leafcutter Bee can craft individual cells for each egg from leaf pieces, creating robust, waterproof, and insulated nurseries.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 10-30 mm
- Size
- 7-20 mm
- Lifespan
- 30-60 days
- Flight Speed
- 20 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
- Colony Size
- 1
Diet & Feeding
They feast on flower nectar for energy and gather protein-rich pollen for their growing babies.
Primary Foods
- Nectar from various flowers
- Pollen from various flowers
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
pollinates
Gallica Rose
Rosa gallica
Helps this rose species produce seeds by transferring pollen.
eaten by
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
Adult bees can become a snack for birds like the House Sparrow.
parasitizes
Common Cuckoo Bee
Coelioxys coturnix
Lays its eggs in leafcutter bee nests, using their stored food.
pollinates
Red Raspberry
Rubus idaeus
Efficiently pollinates raspberry flowers, increasing fruit yield.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
Cutter BeeLeaf Cutter Bee
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Leafcutter Bee's wingspan?
10-30 mm
How big is Leafcutter Bee?
7-20 mm
How long does Leafcutter Bee live?
30-60 days
How fast can Leafcutter Bee fly?
20 km/h
What does Leafcutter Bee eat?
They feast on flower nectar for energy and gather protein-rich pollen for their growing babies.
Where is Leafcutter Bee usually found?
Gardens and fields
How does Leafcutter Bee hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Leafcutter Bee have?
6
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
