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leaf Cutter Bees are similar in size to the ordinary
honey bee - but usually more hairy. They are solitary living bees and do
not swarm or gather in groups. They are darker coloured than ordinary
bees, but with bright yellow banding of the abdomen.
The damage they do to leaves is normally semi-circular
chunks cut out of the leaf edges. They carry the cut out bit to make
their nests - not simply eating the foliage.
They are harmless unless handled - rarely stinging
unless severely provoked.
They nest in rotted wood debris, or the thick pithy
wood of old roses - tunnelling into the centre and often leaving a fine
sawdust trail behind. This is rarely damaging to the rosebush. |
