Species Insects & ArthropodsAlfalfa Leafcutting Bee

Alfalfa Leafcutting Bee

Megachile rotundata

CommonInsect & Arthropod
Illustration of Alfalfa Leafcutting Bee (Megachile rotundata)

The Alfalfa Leafcutting Bee is a small, introduced solitary bee from Eurasia that is the primary managed pollinator of alfalfa seed production in North America. Females cut neat, circular pieces from leaves to construct tube nests in cavities. It is one of the most important economically managed insects after the honey bee.

Habitat
Alfalfa fields, gardens, and areas with cavity nesting sites
Diet
Adults: pollen and nectar of alfalfa and other flowers. Larvae: pollen provisions
How common
Common

Best time to see a Alfalfa Leafcutting Bee

The best time to see a Alfalfa Leafcutting Bee is June–July, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 722 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Not certain it is a Alfalfa Leafcutting Bee? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Alfalfa Leafcutting Bee sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Alfalfa Leafcutting Bee? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.

Get Huck

Get an alert when a Alfalfa Leafcutting Bee is spotted

Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

Love insects & arthropods? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

More insects & arthropods

Ambush Bug
Ambush Bug
Phymata americana
American Bird Grasshopper
American Bird Grasshopper
Schistocerca americana
American Blister Beetle
American Blister Beetle
Meloe americanus
American Bumblebee
American Bumblebee
Bombus pensylvanicus
American Burying Beetle
American Burying Beetle
Nicrophorus americanus
American Carrion Beetle
American Carrion Beetle
Necrophila americana
American Carrion Beetle (Silpha)
American Carrion Beetle (Silpha)
Silpha americana
American Cockroach
American Cockroach
Periplaneta americana