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| LEAF-CUTTER BEES have been visiting our garden. If you have not seen their work, this is the "damage" they do. But don't worry! These are native bees, important as pollinators. Their sting isn't dangerous, and they use this material in the spring, to build their nests. (I gather that the larvae eat aphids!) They are about the size of a honeybee, but darker, and they are "solitary" bees. They don't live in colonies. They're very picky about which leaves they use (apparently, they like "Grandmother's Hat) -- a friend just told me that she'd seen one carrying a circle of bright red Bougainvillea. Learn more about Leafcutter bees at: |
Here is a link that might be useful: Leaf-Cutter Bees Information
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by harborrose 8a-PNW (My Page) on Thu, May 9, 13 at 19:09
| I always think of a garden gremlin scurrying around the garden at night with a hole punch! Thanks for the info, Jeri! Gean |
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| After that information I won't mind so much when I see "holy" leaves. The poor things have to eat, don't they? Ingrid |
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- Posted by floridarosez9 10 (My Page) on Thu, May 9, 13 at 20:49
| They love my Duchesse de Brabant the best. She looks like lace this time of year. |
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- Posted by jeannie2009 PNW 7/8 (My Page) on Thu, May 9, 13 at 20:54
| Geri, Thanks for the info. A few years ago I spotted just those circular holes and wondered what they were. The culprit must hane visited one night and then moved on. Hope he or she never comes back. |
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| Yes, I love knowing my roses provide nesting material for our native, non-aggressive leaf cutter bees. I also leave some pruned tree limbs in the yard to rot and provide nesting areas for them. Anything to help out our pollinators! Besides, the damage is minimal, at least in my yard. Anne |
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- Posted by melissa_thefarm NItaly (My Page) on Fri, May 10, 13 at 2:05
| We have them here in Italy, too, though I don't see their work often. I agree, let's support our pollinators! |
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- Posted by jimofshermanoaks 9/21SoCal (My Page) on Sun, May 12, 13 at 1:37
| Jujst to clarify, the bees do not eat the leafy material, but use it to create their nests. Using residual sprays requiring ingestion is futile for that reason. JimD |
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| I wouldn't spray, even if it DID get rid of them. They're only active for a short period, during the time when they're nest-building. They're a beneficial insect -- as a pollinator, and one whose larvae will eat aphids -- and the "zircles" are fun. Jeri |
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- Posted by sandandsun 9a FL (My Page) on Mon, May 13, 13 at 15:15
| Bless you, jerijen; it's a wonderful thread. |
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| We have them in Israel we well and last summer they seemed to prefer my Systane-sprayed Iceberg over my non-sprayed Garden Director. Iceberg was lacy for a while. I happened upon one of the bees while she was at it. Fascinating. I didn't even mind Iceberg getting shredded in front of my very eyes. Iceberg got over it pretty quick. It seems to get over just about anything. |
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| Phew! I'm glad I found this thread. I decided not to use Google to avoid looking at creep crawlies. Good to know these are bees and not some rose slugs (I dont even want to know what a green tadpole-like worm looks like from what I read in other threads). Noticed they seem to prefer Ben Britten over the others. |
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| I saw one in action for the first time this year and was pretty amazed by it. They're fascinating little things and I'm happy to share my roses with them. :) |
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| Aren't they COOL? :-) Jeri |
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- Posted by floridarosez9 (My Page) on Thu, Aug 28, 14 at 18:05
| Here, they adore Duchesse de Brabant. She looks like lace when they get through with her, but she doesn't mind. |
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