Alfalfa Leafcutter Bee vs Woodland Grasshopper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Alfalfa Leafcutter Bee Woodland Grasshopper
Scientific Name Megachile rotundata Omocestus rufipes
Order Hymenoptera Orthoptera
Family Megachilidae Acrididae
Size 7-9 mm 13-22mm
Habitat Farmland Heathland
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions North America, Europe, introduced to other regions Europe
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.

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Did You Know?

Alfalfa seed yields increased up to 1,000% when this bee was introduced as a managed pollinator.

Woodland Grasshopper

A small dark grasshopper with a distinctive red-tipped abdomen in both sexes. Found in warm sheltered spots.

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Did You Know?

Identified by its red-tipped abdomen which is visible even when the grasshopper is hopping away from you.