We found another gorgeous nesting cell made by a leafcutter bee today during our fall harvest. Leafcutter bees will construct their nests with tiny pieces of crescent shaped cut leaves or flower petals, which does not harm the plant. She will then chew it until it becomes pliable and then push it up along the walls of the cavity of her nesting chamber. She will then lay an egg and place a pollen loaf for her baby before gently wrapping up the leaf chamber and making a cozy little “sleeping bag” for her baby. This process can sometimes take her up to three hours to wrap each baby. The egg will hatch into a larva which will then consume the pollen loaf. Different than a mason bee, leafcutters do not weave a cocoon. They will over-winter in their “sleeping bag” and emerge as an adult bee the following summer.
Learn more about Leafcutter Bees:
Inside a Mason & Leafcutter Block
Watch Leafcutter Bees in Slow Motion
Learn About Leafcutter Bees
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The Nature: My Garden of a Thousand Bees seen 10 20 21 repeats 10 22 21 at 2pmand 10 24 at 5am I highly recommend watching for any one interested in leaf cutter bees. Was very onlightening.
Thank you with your assistance in placing my order.
Carol Galea. Take care.