Leaf-cutter Bee

Name: Leaf-cutter Bee

Scientific name: Megachile spp

Category: Minibeasts

Nature Stars: 60

What are nature stars?

About: A group of small, greyish bees. Leaf-cutter bees nest in holes in dead wood, cliffs or old walls. They famously cut discs out of leaves which they use to build sausage-shaped 'cells' in which their larvae live.

How to identify: There are various species of leaf-cutter bee in Britain, which are very difficult to tell apart. They are best recognised by their habit of carrying pieces of leaf back to their nest holes.

Where: Widespread, although less common in the North.

Natural Superpowers

• Predator: 10
• Agility: 60
• Rarity: 50
• Cute factor: 50
• Traveller: 60

Fantastic fact: Leaf-cutter bees can be encouraged to live in your garden by putting out bundles of canes or by drilling lots of holes into a piece of dead wood.

Photograph credit: Cécile Bassaglia