What are these unusual inexperienced wrapped leaves in uncommon locations? Leafcutter bees, Megachilidae — Bug of the Week

One attention-grabbing member of the leafcutter clan discovered right here within the US is the non-native European wool carder bee. Wool carders construct their nursery with fibers collected from crops or animals. One other sneaky a part of the clan are parasites that don’t construct nurseries of their very own. As a substitute, they deposit eggs in nests of different species of bees. After hatching, these intruders eat the younger of their unlucky host and usurp provisions meant for the offspring. These devious rascals are often known as kleptoparasites.

Leafcutter bees are terribly docile and unlikely to sting. As necessary pollinators of a number of agricultural crops together with blueberries and alfalfa, and plenty of native bushes and shrubs, they deserve our care and a focus to assist protect their very important ecosystem companies. Preserve a watch open for small bushy bees gathering pollen in your backyard and attempt to observe their exact handiwork in your curiously clipped leaves.

Acknowledgements

Bug of the Week thanks Darlene Wells for sharing her pictures of leafcutter tubes and offering inspiration for this episode. We additionally thank bee guru Sam Droege for assist figuring out our leafcutter bees.