Leafcutter Bees – Industrious Little Pollinators

I’ve got a fantastic tale of unexpected wonder to share with you! It includes an old smoker and a real gem of the natural world, the leafcutter bee. I just love bugs! They never cease to amaze!

So, the other day, I was on the hunt for my trusty bee smoker for a quick job in the apiary. However it seemed to have vanished into thin air! (And not for the first time either…) In a hurry, I grabbed my not-so-reliable emergency smoker, which I keep around just for moments like this. But what unfolded next left me completely astonished and in awe of Mother Nature!

As I cracked open the lid of the old smoker, I was greeted by the most delightful sight – an exquisite collection of perfect little green cones made out of leaves. All beautifully finished and neatly arranged within the smoker, among the bark and cardboard used the last time it was lit. It was like stumbling upon a secret treasure trove and it took me a brief moment to realize that I was looking at little nests or cocoons crafted by none other than the talented and industrious leafcutter bee herself!

Ideal Place to Nest?

What makes this encounter even more special is that we’ve been fortunate to witness an abundance of these incredible leafcutter bees buzzing around our garden this year! They have been particularly active visiting our profusely flowering Lathyrus, or Perennial Sweet Pea. These fascinating pollinators are nature’s true artists, cutting and shaping leaves with expert precision to create cocoons for their young – a sight that never fails to amaze.

This remarkable bee had been stealthily flitting in and out of the nozzle of the seldom-used smoker, each time bearing precious bits of leaves to construct meticulous cells for her future offspring. These leaf parcels are her ingenious way of providing cozy nests for her eggs, tucked away safely until the baby bees are ready to face the world next spring.

About Leafcutter Bees

For those of you curious about leafcutter bees, let me share a bit of info. These remarkable insects are solitary bees of the family Megachilidae, which also contain mason bees and resin bees. In Ireland, we have nearly 100 different native bees, one of which is the Native Irish honey bee, and the others are bumblebees and solitary bees, some of which are leafcutter bees. All our native bees play a crucial role in pollination, ensuring that our flowers and crops thrive.

Leafcutters, as their name suggests, snip neat, circular pieces from leaves, which they then use to build cones or cells. Inside these cells, they lay their eggs, providing a perfect haven for their developing young ones. It’s a nature-crafted masterpiece from start to finish! The young bees will pupate in the cell over winter and emerge in spring. They will mate shortly after emergence, and the cycle begins anew.

So, here’s to the wonderful world of leafcutter bees and the intricate marvels they create right under our noses. Let’s keep cherishing and celebrating the fascinating tales of the natural world around us.

P.S. Needless to say, I didn’t use the smoker, but went in search of another one. I placed it back where I found it and I’ll be keeping a close eye on the old smoker in late spring, when the bees emerge, and hopefully we’ll see many more of them in our garden next year!

Bee healthy!

Hanna Bäckmo

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