Leaf cutter bee brood cells. Close-up of the brood cells made by the leaf cutter bee, Megachile. These thimble-shaped structures were constructed by t
Leaf cutter bee brood cells. Close-up of the brood cells made by the leaf cutter bee, Megachile. These thimble-shaped structures were constructed by the adult bees from rose leaves as cradles for their young. The bee first constructs a tunnel in rotten material, in this case in the compost of a potted plant. It then cuts off pieces of leaves with its sharp mandibles and takes them back to its tunnel. When it has enough it weaves the leaves into a hollow container. The bee lays one egg into each container with a food pellet of gathered pollen before sealing them. The larva hatches and feeds inside the brood cell before pupating. Adult bees emerge the following year.
Size: 3520px × 5067px
Photo credit: © DR JEREMY BURGESS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: animal, bee, brood, case, cell, cells, cutter, egg, insect, insecta, invertebrate, invertebrates, leaf, leafcutter, megachile, nature, wildlife, zoology
