Megachile
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With a couple hundred native species, Megachile represent the largest genus in the Megachilidae family of leaf cutting and mason bees in North America.
The wide, dark abdomen and yellow belly of many Megachile species makes them among the easiest bees to identify. Unlike other bees that collect pollen on their legs, the female Megachile collects pollen on the hairs of her belly.
In addition to yellow belly, females also have a more pointed pointed abdomen than males.
They are solitary bees that often build their ground nests close together.
While the average Megachile size compares to a honeybee, the Megachile genus claims the worlds largest bee. Megachile pluto, a native of Indonesia, can measure up to an inch and one-half in length.
© 2009 Patricia A. Michaels