Leaf-cutting Bees Family Megachilidae

http://collections.ic.gc.ca/biodiversity/family/Megachilidae.html

Kelly Cassidy wrote:
>
> For the bugologists:
>
> Tonight, I watched a bee-like insect, about the size and shape of a
> honeybee, repeatedly carry pieces of leaves into a hole next to a brick in
> my yard in Pullman. I couldn't get a good look at it. It would zip into
> its hole holding its leaf segment by its hind legs, spend a few minutes
> inside, then buzz back out and take off in search of another leaf. It
> appeared to have a grayish or black body with yellow hairs, and possibly a
> yellow stripe or two, but the stripes are iffy.
>
> Are there bees or wasps that carry pieces of leaves into their nests? And
> why? I didn't know any bees or wasps were grazers.
>
> Kelly Cassidy

--
Mike Patterson Alas, to wear the mantle of Galileo,
Astoria, OR it is not enough to be persecuted
celata at pacifier.com by an unkind establishment,
you must also be right.
---Robert Park
http://www.pacifier.com/~mpatters/bird/bird.html