Megachilidae | ||||||||||||
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Scientific classification | ||||||||||||
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Genera | ||||||||||||
Anthidium Coelioxys Heriades Hoplitis Megachile Osmia |
The Megachilidae are a cosmopolitan family of (mostly) solitary bees that carry pollen in specialized structures called scopae located under the abdomen (rather than on the hind legs like in the honey bee). Many megachilid genera are commonly known as leaf cutter and mason bees, reflecting the materials they build their nest cells from (clay or leaves, respectively). Most species feed on nectar and pollen, but some are cleptoparasites (also called brood parasites or cuckoo bees). Parasitic species do not posess pollen-collecting organs.
North America has many native Megachilid species, but Alfalfa leafcutter bees (Megachile rotundata) are an imported species used for pollination.
Table of contents |
2 Genera of Megachilidae 3 Resources |
The general life cycle of non-parasitic Megachilidae is as follows (but see below for variations):
The female builds a nest for her brood. The nests are divided into cells, each cell receives a supply of food (pollen or a pollen/nectar mix) and an egg. The larva hatches from the egg and consumes the food supply. After moulting a few times, it spins a cocoon and pupates. Then it emerges from the nest as an adult. Males die shortly after mating, but females survive for another few weeks, during which they build new nests. After finding a suitable spot (often near where she emerged), she starts builds a first cell, supplies it with food, and lays an egg in it. Then she builds a wall that separates the completed cell from the next one.
Variations:
Some genera of Megachilids are brood parasites, often on related species. They typically enter the nest before it is sealed and lay their eggs in a cell. After hatching, the parasite larva consumes the host's food, eventually resulting in the host larva's death by starvation.
Photos of orchard mason bees:
" class="external">http://www.pollinator.com/gallery/mason_nest.htm
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Life Cycle
Non-parasites
Parasites
Genera of Megachilidae
Stuckey, South CarolinaResources
Evidence of Leafcutter Bee