I was out working on flower beds, when a bee flew past and landed on the wood border of the bed. I don't normally pay much attention to bees except that this one was carrying a piece of a leaf. I went and got the camera and only had to wait a few seconds before another one came in with a piece of a leaf and carried it into the crack in the wood. This happened several times in the five minutes I watched. They didn't seemed bothered by me kneeling there and watching. They're darker than the typical honeybees I see. What kind of bees are they and should we be concerned about a hive starting right there? Miss (now Mrs.) Liberty ( photo / image / picture from Miss Liberty's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from Miss Liberty's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from Miss Liberty's Garden )
You are sooo lucky Liberty. You have Leafcutter Bees!! Here are a few facts about them: Leafcutter bees are native bees to the western United States and are very important as pollinators. They are not aggressive and have a mild sting that is used only when they are handled. These bees cut pieces of leaves from plants and carry the sections to their nest site where they use them to form nest cells. Leafcutter bees nest in soft, rotted wood or in the stems of large, pithy plants, such as roses. Lucky you!!
Eileen, thank you for the quick response. I've never heard of leafcutter bees. You're right about them not being aggressive. While the little girl, from next door, and I were watching, they didn't seem to care. She loved to watch them pull the leaves down into the crack. Miss (now Mrs.) Liberty
I have heard of leaf cutter ants but not leaf cutter bees. I wonder if they produce wax. Great bee photos Liberty, I will add then to my never ending list of fascinating photographs. Jerry
We have them hgere as well. They are fun to watch, and help pollinate your flowers. They are one of the group that I call "solitary nees". Actually now that I think of it, I believe that the term is an existing english one. I really find bees of all types quite interesting. Thanks for this posting.
Great observation, Liberty. Thanks for catching it and putting it up here for all to see. I love to see everything that everyone else catches that we otherwise wouldn't get to see. Thanks. carolyn.
Interesting side note to this topic Sunday when I first saw the bees, I got to watching them with the little girl from next door. She's nine years old. Her mother told me last night that the girl was so fascinated with them that they had to go to the library to get books on bees. She's been sitting on the edge of my flower bed a couple of times watching. Who knows, maybe a new entomologist has been born. Libby
Hey, great photos! We have leafcutter bees in Australia too, so they're quite widespread. They do just seem to quietly go about their business, don't they.
