Leaf-cutting
or Resin Bee (two photos)
Megachile parallela
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-cutter 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. Here's a nice article about leaf-cutter
bees. © Carol Davis 8-6-2010
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