Alfalfa leafcutting bee
- Pronunciation
- /al-FAL-fa leef-KUT-ting bee/
- Category
- Entomology
- Singular
- Alfalfa leafcutting bee
- Plural
- Alfalfa leafcutting bees
Definition
A species of cavity-nesting bee (Megachile rotundata) that has been successfully semi-domesticated to pollinate alfalfa for seed production in North America.
Etymology
From the common name 'alfalfa' and the fact that they cut leaves to build their nests.
Example
The alfalfa leafcutting bee is an important pollinator of alfalfa crops in North America.