Megachile Sculpturalis

''Megachile sculpturalis'', known as the giant resin bee and sculptured resin bee, is a species of leafcutting bees belonging to the family Megachilidae.

Distribution

Native to Japan and China, it has been introduced to the Eastern United States and Ontario, Canada in recent times. First established in the United States during the early 1990s, records currently exist from most states east of the Mississippi River. In Europe, it was first observed close to Marseille's (France) port in 2008. Since then, this invasive species has also been recorded in the following European countries: Bosnia & Herzegovina, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, and Switzerland.

Description

''Megachile sculpturalis'' can reach a body length of about in males, while females usually are larger than males, reaching about .Discover Life
/ref> It is much bigger than most other leafcutting bees. The body is cylindrical, jaws are large and wings are transparent, with a brown color that darkens toward the tips. Head and abdomen are mainly black, the abdomen is rather shiny and without hairs, while thorax is covered with dense yellowish-brown pubescence. In males the abdomen is truncated and squared, while in the females it is almost tapered, and pointed. The female has four dentate mandibles.Bug Guide
/ref>

Habitat

In the United States, these resin bees occur in nests of Xylocopa spp., often around wooden structures such as doors, decks and porches.

Biology

Adults can be found from June to-September. These solitary bees are known to make during the summer their nests in available holes found in wooden structures or in small crevices between wood boards and often they use cavities belonging to carpenter bees. They do not bore holes into wood. Their individual cells are constructed using wood particles and mud. They provide each cell with pollen carried on the underside of their hairy abdomen. Then they lay in each cell a single egg. Females also use their large jaws to collect resin (hence the common name), used to cap the brood cells. The larvae overwinter inside the cells, consuming the pollen. In spring they pupate and emerge as an adult in early summer.

The main recorded host plants are '' Lathyrus latifolius'' and '' Sophora japonica'' (Fabaceae), '' Pycnanthemum'' species (Lamiaceae), ''Lythrum salicaria'' (Lythraceae), '' Koelreuteria paniculata'' (Sapindaceae) and ''Buddleia'' species (Scrophulariaceae).

Gallery

File: Megachile sculpturalis, female, back 2012-07-12-17.20 (22479798836).jpg, Mounted specimen. Female, dorsal view
File: Megachile sculpturalis f.jpg , Side view
File: Megachile sculpturalis1.jpg, Close-up on the head

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q1313252

sculpturalis
Insects of Japan
Insects of China
Hymenoptera of Asia
Insects described in 1853
Invasive animal species in Europe