Leaf-cutter Bee

Megachile centuncularis

Watch for these industrious bees carefully cutting perfect circular pieces from rose petals, leaves, and other plants. They’re not damaging the plants but collecting materials to construct brood cells for their larvae. Each female works alone, creating dozens of neat holes in leaves – a sure sign of their presence. They’re excellent pollinators, carrying pollen on their bellies rather than their legs like honeybees. Unlike social bees, they nest in hollow stems, old beetle holes, or specially made bee hotels. They’re gentle creatures that rarely sting and are completely focused on their architectural projects.