What’s eating my (redbud, rosebush, azalea, etc)? Homeowners observing this particular type of damage to trees and shrubs may assume that a dangerous pest is at work. However, the true story is much less sinister!
The perfect semi-circular holes that look like the work of a hole punch are actually the artistry of a leafcutter bee (Megachile spp.)
Most leafcutter bees are similar in size to honey bees, slightly darker in color and with light bands on the abdomen. Their habits, however, are totally different! Leafcutter bees are solitary bees, and don’t form colonies that must be protected This means that they’re not aggressive, and sting only when handled.
Female leafcutter bees do all the work of rearing their young, digging out nesting areas, creating nest cells and providing food. When constructing a nest, leafcutter bees collect fragments of leaves to construct individual cells within the nest. The bees cut leaves in a distinctive manner, making a smooth semicircular or crescent moon shape, cut about 3/4 inch in diameter from the edge of leaves. Although they use many types of leaves, favorites include thin, pliable leaves such as rose, green ash, lilac or Virginia creeper.
So if you spot this telltale sign in your garden, rejoice! You’re providing valuable habitat for a hard-working pollinator friend
Photo: Megachile female on Rosa blanda, © Heather Holm
