Megachile relativa

Cresson, 1878

Golden-tailed Leafcutter Bee

Megachile relativa is a solitary leafcutter bee in the Megachilidae, described by Ezra Townsend Cresson in 1878. The nests in pre-existing cavities such as trap-nests and has been documented in Wisconsin and Vermont. Like other members of the Megachile, females carry pollen on scopal hairs beneath the rather than on the hind legs.

Megachile relativa by (c) Owen Strickland, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Owen Strickland. Used under a CC-BY license.Megachile relativa, female, right, mariposa, Ca, 2017-07-13-16.46 (36278594671) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.Megachile relativa, 420668, Garett co, Side 2016-06-27-14.47.07 ZS PMax UDR (28206459536) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Megachile relativa: /ˌmɛɡəˈkaɪli rɪˈlætɪvə/

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Images

Habitat

Nests in pre-existing cavities, including trap-nests. Documented in Wisconsin where it was studied using artificial nesting traps.

Distribution

North America; specifically recorded in Wisconsin and Vermont, United States.

Behavior

Nests in trap-nests (pre-existing cavities). Solitary nesting with females constructing individual chambers.

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Sources and further reading