These beneficial bees are important pollinators for flowers, fruits, and more.
Why Attract Leafcutter Bees?
Farmers use them to pollinate crops such as blueberries, onions, carrots, and alfalfa.
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The males live for a short time after mating, and the females search for nesting sites.
When the larvae emerge, they feed on the food stored in the nest and pupate over the winter.
Habitat
As solitary bees, leafcutter bees dont live in colonies with a queen.
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Each female bee builds her own nest to raise her brood.
A typical nest consists of up to 20 of these cells, packed tightly together.
After placing food in each cell, she lays a single egg in each one.
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The final task in her life cycle is to close each cell with a seal made of chewed-up leaves.
Do Leafcutter Bees Cause Garden Problems?
Insecticides are not recommended nor are they effective for this insect.
Female leafcutter bees may be active at night for a month or so creating nests.
Then, the females rest in the completed nest at night.
Surviving males will find reeds, flowers, or other places above the ground in the habitat to rest.
In the winter, all leafcutter bees are dormant but mature larvae.
They remain dormant when temperatures hover around 50 degrees Fahrenheit or cooler.
Some ideas includeroses,azaleas,ash trees,bougainvillea,peas,lilacs, andhostas.
No, leafcutter bees don’t make honey.
Leafcutter bees are not aggressive at all and shouldn’t be feared.
Different species of leafcutter bees can be found throughout North America.
