Best time to see: mid May to mid Aug
Key facts
Solitary bees that cut pieces from leaves to build and line their nests, including from garden roses
The patchwork leafcutter bee is the commonest, nesting mainly in gardens and parks
Nest in natural holes in wood, but readily use lengths of cane or blocks of wood with holes (8mm–10mm) bored into them
Recognition
Similar in appearance to a honey bee, but darker, broader and more hairy
Females have a pollen brush under the abdomen, i.e. a mat of fine hairs designed to collect pollen
Lifecycle
Nest in holes in wood, using pieces of leaf to line the nest chamber, or build a complete structure out of leaves
In summer the female constructs a series of chambers in each nest, laying an egg and supplying nectar and pollen as food
The eggs over-winter, then hatch out the following spring and develop within the nest, chewing their way out in summer
© Tony Gunton
© Tony Gunton