Genus Megachile
I have to admit this is one of my most favorite pictures because of the color, of course, but also because of the
neat little bee. I love the massive head and thorax and the narrow abdomen which when packed together
give this bee the tough-guy appearance--kind of like the Mighty Mouse of the bee world. Leaf-cutting Bees
cut pieces out of leaves to use in their nests to separate the cells and Resin Bees make nests of rocks
and coat the nest with resin, as seen on this page. This little bee has not yet been identified to species.
Here's a nice article about leaf-cutting bees.
© Carol Davis 8-6-2010
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