What do leaf cutter bees eat? It is not clear. But it appears they do not consume leaf material directly, but use it as nest material. When the bee builds a nest, it uses leaf material as the lining. The female excavates a nesting area and then makes nest cells for the eggs. Afterward, she provides food for her young. It is therefore important to identify leaf cutter bee nesting sites.
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Leaves
Leaf cutter bees eat leaves. They tend to be gentle and do not attack humans. They will only sting you if you are in their territory or pose a threat to their life. The sting will be mild, and is far less painful than a honeybee’s. Leaf cutter bees are considered to be important pollinators, but they are not protected by any type of insecticide.
Flower petals
Leafcutter bees are native pollinators. They feed on a variety of flowers, but prefer flowers with thin leaves and petals. They also eat nectar from flowers. Leafcutter bees are attracted to the scent of flower petals. Among the flowers they frequent are roses and lilacs. This article will discuss some of the most common plants leafcutter bees visit for pollen and nectar.
Flies
Leafcutter bees are solitary bees that make nests out of leaf fragments. They make multiple nest cells out of leaf segments and use the cut leaf sections as the ‘cavity’ for the larvae. Leafcutters are important pollinators of wildflowers and fruits. Their larvae feed on pollen that they collect on the underside of their abdomens. Leafcutter bees are members of the megachilid bee family.
Wasps
Leafcutting bees are a common pest in Florida. Their name is derived from their habit of cutting leaves. The female leafcutter bee builds a nest for her larvae by using preexisting hollow stems, wood or rotting structures as ‘cavities’. Other options include snail shells or man-made holes. Leafcutter bees also nest in tree trunks, stumps, or other hollow spaces.
Beetles
Leaf cutter bees can be found throughout Missouri and are small, solitary insects. These insects have whitish hair bands on their abdomens, and their pollen is carried on their underside. Leaf cutter bees don’t attack humans, but can sting if handled or aggravated. They can become a nuisance when they start damaging plants and homes. Leaf cutter bees also chew wood, stucco, and mortar to build their nests.
Wood
While a bee’s diet is mostly comprised of plant material, the Leafcutter bee will also eat wood. Leafcutter bees make their nests in hollow stems, empty snail shells, or dry soil. Once they have found the right place, they’ll begin collecting leaf segments and line them up to form a nest. The leaves they collect will be overlapping in a semi-circular pattern and will be used as a line for their hive. Those who are not familiar with leaf cutter bees will likely be surprised to learn that their nest is made of wood.
Soil
The most obvious clues that leaf cutter bees are infesting your property can be found in their nests. They are found in wood cavities, usually hollow stems or rotten wood. You can also find them in dry soil or holes in concrete walls. Their nests can reach a depth of several inches. The larvae nest in these hollow chambers and add pollen and nectar to the cells.
Man-made objects
Leafcutters are the newest species of bee to come to North America. They are an important pollinator of several wildflower species. They typically inhabit hollow reeds and abandoned beetle holes, but are perfectly content living in man-made bee blocks. Leafcutters are introduced species that were brought to North America to help pollinate alfalfa, a crop that honey bees do not do very well. Their nests are made of small disks of leaves, which are then laid in the tube, and are completed with colorful petal parts.
