Mason bees, or orchard bees, are exceptionally good at pollinating fruit trees. Photo by Joseph Wilson, Utah State University. (b) A female leafcutter bee ( Megachile sp.) note the pollen packed hairs (scopa) on underside of the abdomen. Photo by Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University,. Several open nest cavities and four sealed nests are also pictured. (a) A Female leafcutter bee ( Megachile sp.) is photographed resting on a human-made nest block. Seasonal activity: April–October, with peak activity in July.įigure 4. Females divide the nest into cells and stack them toward the entrance. Female leafcutter bees line the nest cavity with circular leaf fragments that they cut from surrounding vegetation. Nesting behavior: Nesting sites are built in existing holes of many materials, such as soil, trees, plant stems, and artificial materials (referenced in Figure 4a). They carry pollen on their underbelly rather than on their hind legs (see Figure 4b). The females have black, slick bodies with stripes. Key features: Small to medium in size (¼–½ inch). Leafcutter bees are important pollinators of legumes, such as alfalfa, clovers, and lupines. The leaf cuttings do not harm the plant but may affect the plant’s overall appearance. Leafcutter bees cut circular pieces from leaves which they use to line nest cavities as seen in Figure 3a. (b) Leaf lining of a nest cell extracted from a wood nest cavity. Photo by Kimberly Steinmenn, University of California,. (a) Leaf damage caused by female leafcutter bee. Male bees are usually smaller than females, have longer antennae, lack a stinger, and often have white or yellow facial hair.įigure 3. Male bee anatomy is similar to that of females with a few differences. Familiarity with bee anatomy described in this document will give novice bee enthusiasts the experience needed to transition to more technical guides. Pollen-carrying hairs (scopa) on the abdomen or hind legs (females only).įigures 1a and 1b show basic female bee anatomy.The following characteristics can distinguish bees from other insects: It can be difficult to distinguish bees from other insects (including bee mimics) that are very similar in appearance. This fact sheet highlights the different bee species that you may see in Utah. Bees can also be appreciated for their striking diversity in color and size. Specifically, bees are key to a sustainable environment as they are essential pollinators of food and fiber crops. There are many reasons for appreciating bees and encouraging their presence in the landscape. Southern Utah alone has approximately the same number of bee species as the entire eastern U.S. Over 1,000 species of native bees exist in Utah (Cane, 2015). Utah is a superb place for beginning bee enthusiasts.
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