Observations on the Biology of a Leaf-Cutter Bee Megachile frontalis, in New Guinea.

Abstract

Megachile frontalis (Fabricius) (usually known in the past as M. lachesis Smith, see Liefinck, 1958) is the most conspicuous and probably the commonest leaf-cutter bee in the Territory of Papua and New Guinea. It is a large, elongate, black species that is sometimes of considerable importance because it cuts leaves of plants. It may also be a significant pollinator of certain plants. Aside from its economic significance, this species is of special interest because it is one of the rather elongate, parallel-sided species of Megachile, most of which do not use leaves in nest construction. M. frontalis, however, has cutting edges between the mandibular teeth of the female and cuts leaves for use in making its cells. Its systematic position will be discussed in a subsequent paper by one of us (Michener).