Megachile texana

Cresson, 1878

Texas leafcutter bee

Megachile texana is a solitary leafcutter to the United States and southern Canada. Females construct nests using cut leaf pieces to chambers, typically in soil burrows under rocks or clods. The was first described by Ezra Townsend Cresson in 1878. Like other Megachile species, females carry pollen on scopal hairs beneath the rather than on the hind legs.

Megachile texana, F, Side, MD, Baltimore 2013-06-25.18.13.49 ZS PMax by Sam Droege. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.Megachile texana, F, Face, MD, Baltimore 2013-06-25.18.04.49 ZS PMax (9302519073) by Sam Droege from Beltsville, USA. Used under a Public domain license.Megachile texana, F, Back, MD, Baltimore 2013-06-25.17.54.37 ZS PMax (9302512377) by Sam Droege from Beltsville, USA. Used under a Public domain license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Megachile texana: /ˌmɛɡəˈkaɪli tɛkˈsɑːnə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from other Megachile by the combination of: dense whitish on and ; distinct black and yellowish- abdominal banding; and size range of 10–13 mm. Separation from M. rubi requires examination of subtle morphological characters not covered in available sources. Nesting —cutting leaf pieces for lining—is shared with and not diagnostic alone.

Images

Appearance

Females measure 11–13 mm; males are slightly smaller at 10–12 mm. and covered with short, dense whitish hair. displays distinct black and yellowish- banding. semi-transparent with black . present in size.

Habitat

Pasture . Nest entrances located under rocks, under soil clods, or on small hillocks. Burrows excavated in soil, often with upper surface formed by underside of flat stones. Occasionally uses pre-existing cavities but has been observed excavating own nests.

Distribution

to the United States and southern Canada. GBIF records confirm presence in North America including Vermont, USA.

Diet

feed on nectar; provisioned with pollen-nectar mixture. Specific floral not documented in available sources.

Life Cycle

Females construct burrows up to 25 cm long, creating one or several each lined with cut leaf portions. Each cell half-filled with pollen-nectar mixture; laid on food mass. consumes provision, becomes inactive enclosed in filling the cell. Cocoon outer surface wound with brownish threads.

Behavior

Solitary nesting. Females cut leaf pieces to transport back to nest for construction. Has been observed excavating own burrows rather than solely using pre-existing cavities.

Ecological Role

. Leaf-cutting may incidentally damage ornamental foliage.

Human Relevance

Potential minor damage to garden plants from leaf-cutting activity. No documented economic importance as managed .

Similar Taxa

  • Megachile rubiSimilar nesting using cut leaf pieces for lining; requires morphological examination for separation.

More Details

Taxonomic history

First described by Ezra Townsend Cresson in 1878.

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Sources and further reading