Megachile addenda

Cresson, 1878

cranberry leafcutter bee

Megachile addenda is a solitary leafcutter bee native to North America, first described by Ezra Townsend Cresson in 1878. It is commonly known as the cranberry leafcutter bee due to its documented role as a of cranberry crops. The nests in sand beds and belongs to the subgenus Delomegachile. Like other Megachile species, females cut leaf pieces to construct chambers.

Megachile addenda, F, Side, NJ, Monmouth County 2014-04-25-13.51.02 ZS PMax (14081261311) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.Megachile addenda, F, Back, NJ, Monmouth County 2014-04-25-13.28.45 ZS PMax (13897852049) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.Megachile addenda, F, Face, NJ, Monmouth County 2014-04-25-13.39.38 ZS PMax (14081313132) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Megachile addenda: /ˌmɛɡəˈkaɪli əˈdɛndə/

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Habitat

Nests in sand beds. Associated with cranberry areas.

Distribution

North America; recorded from Vermont, United States.

Behavior

Females cut leaves to construct nest chambers. Nesting occurs in sand beds.

Ecological Role

Documented of cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon).

Human Relevance

Managed or encouraged as a for cranberry agriculture.

More Details

Subgenus classification

Placed in subgenus Delomegachile.

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Sources and further reading