280 days of Urbpandemonium #177

[urbpan]

This medium sized bee (about honeybee size) was moving pretty slowly as the September afternoon chill arrived. It was collecting nectar or pollen from a bright orange Cosmos blossom.


My bugguide ID request was answered suspiciously quickly. The alert hymenopterist could instantly tell it was a leaf-cutter bee in the family Megachilidae.


Looking through pictures of the listed species in my area, I think it's most likely that this is Megachile (subgenus Litomegachile) mendicus*. These are solitary bees that line natural cavities with pieces of cut leaves to make their brood nests. They provision these nests with pollen for their larvae's food source.

*Simple, large-lipped beggar. (RUDE)

Comments

[froganon.livejournal.com]

It's a pretty creature. I find that bees photograph well, even for someone like me with a cheap camera and little skill.