Biology:Megachile abacula
| Megachile abacula | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Megachilidae |
| Genus: | Megachile |
| Species: | M. abacula
|
| Binomial name | |
| Megachile abacula Cresson, 1878[1]
| |
Megachile abacula is a species of bee in the Megachilidae family.
Leafcutter bees
Like other Megachile species, M. abacula likely selects smooth, non-latex leaves from plants in the Rosid clade, particularly Fabaceae, for constructing its brood cells.[2] Solitary bees, such as leafcutters, do not form colonies. Unlike social insects (ants, yellow jackets, honeybees), leafcutter bees work alone building isolated nests.[3] Similar to honeybees, female bees perform nearly all essential tasks of brood rearing. These native insects perform essential tasks, pollinating wild plants. The alfalfa leaf cutter bee (Megachile rotundata), native to Europe, has been semi-domesticated for crop pollination. In North America, the species was deliberately imported to assist in the pollination of food crops, but has now become feral and widespread.[4]
Taxonomy and naming
References
- ↑ "Megachile abacula Cresson, 1878". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=760924.
- ↑ Sinu, P. A., & Bronstein, J. L. (2018). Foraging preferences of leafcutter bees in three contrasting geographical zones. Diversity and Distributions, 24(5), 621–628. https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.12709
- ↑ Cranshaw, W.S.. "Leafcutter Bees". http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05576.html. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
- ↑ Milius, Susan (January 6, 2007). "Most Bees Live Alone: No hives, no honey, but maybe help for crops". Science News 171 (1): 11–3. doi:10.1002/scin.2007.5591710110.
External links
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Wikispecies has information related to Megachile abacula |
Wikidata ☰ Q4490266 entry
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