Leaf cutter bee brood cells. Close-up of the brood cells made by the leaf cutter bee,Megachile. These thimble-shaped structures were constructed by the adult bees from rose leaves as cradles for their young. The bee first constructs a tunnel in rotten material,in this case in the compost of a potted plant. It then cuts off pieces of leaves with its sharp mandibles and takes them back to its tunnel. When it has enough it weaves the leaves into a hollow container. The bee lays one egg into each container with a food pellet of gathered pollen before sealing them. The larva hatches and feeds inside the brood cell before pupating. Adult bees emerge the following year | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / Burgess, Dr. Jeremy |
Bildgröße: | 3520 px × 5067 px |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Eigentums-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Restrictions: | - |