Alfalfa Leafcutter Bee vs Blue-Banded Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Alfalfa Leafcutter Bee | Blue-Banded Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Megachile rotundata | Amegilla cingulata |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Megachilidae | Apidae |
| Size | 7-9 mm | 10-12 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Herbivores | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | North America, Europe, introduced to other regions | Australia, Southeast Asia, India |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Alfalfa Leafcutter Bee
A small solitary bee that cuts precise circular pieces from leaves to construct nest cells. It is the most important managed pollinator of alfalfa seed crops in North America.
Did You Know?
Alfalfa seed yields increased up to 1,000% when this bee was introduced as a managed pollinator.
Blue-Banded Bee
A striking Australian native bee with iridescent turquoise bands on its abdomen. They are important buzz pollinators of tomatoes and other crops.
Did You Know?
They bang their heads against flowers at 350 times per second to vibrate pollen loose, a technique called buzz pollination.