Bees are one of the most beneficial insects that a garden, orchard or even a patio with plants can have. Without them, flowers would not pollinate, and thus species would become extinct at an alarming rate. They are so necessary that if one day they disappeared, humanity would have a very serious problem. However, there are some that are slightly harmful to plant beings, and they are the Megachile centuncularis .
This scientific name probably doesn’t ring a bell, but what if I told you it’s the leafcutter bee? Things change, right? This is a “friend” that can make our beloved plants ugly .
Index
- 1 What is the leafcutter bee?
- 2 What are the symptoms/damage it causes to plants?
- 3 How is it treated?
What is the leafcutter bee?
It is a flying insect known by the common names of leaf sawing bee, rose bee or leaf cutting bee that belongs to the order Hymenoptera , which means that they are relatives of wasps and ants. It is very reminiscent of the domestic bee ( Apis melifera ) due to its appearance, but it differs from it mainly because of its behavior (it usually lives more alone, and not in groups like the Apis) and of course because of the damage it causes.
What are the symptoms/damage it causes to plants?
The female leafcutter bee will make her nest near the plant, either on the ground, on the wall, in a hole in the stem or trunk itself, or even in pots. The nests will be cylindrical in shape, and in them, in addition to her larvae, she will have provisions for them . Said food, certainly, are pieces of leaves that she cuts with her jaws in a few moments.
Although it may seem otherwise, the damage to the plant is more aesthetic than anything else. As the bee curiously leaves the central nerve intact, the plant being usually recovers well. In addition, these insects are very good pollinators, since they feed on the nectar of flowers.
How is it treated?
If you’d like to do something to repel it after all, you can fill a small open container with bitter almond oil , or place dishes with water and sugar, maple syrup, or banana peels away from your plants.
I hope this article has been useful to you
