Megachiles

The leaf cutting bees (sometimes considered as a tribe, Megachilinae,
or even as a family, Megachilidae), appear in Paris in May and dominate
the Hymenoptera in June. Follow us, please...

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One of the most clearly visible feature of those bees is their abdomen, which can bend over the thorax or even pivot lateraly.
		To this end, the abdomen is marked by deep grooves.

Females have on the abdomen bottom a brush used to collect pollen. This ventral brush, when not loaden with pollen, is often used as a feature of the species.


	Females can gather a big amount of pollen on their brushes.


		And what do males in the mean time? They forage too.

		Maybe did you notice that some males, on last pictures, have a deformation of the front tarsa (last part of the front leg). Some call them "white gloves". Here are some other pictures.


And what do those lords with white gloves, when they are tired? A little rest on a leaf, and even a little siesta...
			I hope you enjoyed this little walk in the land of leaf cutting bees...