Leaf Cutter Bee
While sitting out in the garden recently eating dinner, we were attracted by audible munching noises from our wisteria plant. Further investigation showed a bee-like creature neatly chopping an oval piece out of a leaf then flying away with its prize. It then returned for another piece of leaf, and then several more.
Later research told us that it was indeed a bee—a leaf cutter bee in fact—a solitary but quite friendly creature that likes wisteria, rose and other leaves as nest making material.
Webmaster
I live in central Edinburgh and our balcony post and tubs have been decimated this year with the leaf cutter bee - we are on the third floor. We also noticed plants in the Botanic Gardens in the city have also been affected. Does anyone have a solution to stop them nibbling my plants there is no where for them to nest on my balcony?
We noticed a bee entering one of our hanging flower bags a few weeks ago and today 23rd Aug 2007 have watched the bee taking leaf pieces in with it so have now identified same as above.
I live in Spain and my roses are being decimated, one bee flew past me with a great chunk of a pink pelargonium, I still have to find a nest but after reading the site I am heading for my wooden garden table.
our leaf cutter bees make their nests in the screw channels on the underside of our garden tables. We have a nice time at out door meals watching them fly down under the table with bits of leaf to make the nests. Occasionally our guests are a bit alarmed when bees fly straight at them during meals. They have just reappeared (29th July). The screw channels are probably about two and a half inches deep and the same diameter as the bits of leaf.
I have a folding beer garden type bench and have been watching these leaf cutter bee’s using the the area’s where the screws go to build their nest/s
They are also doing the same to my wooden garden table and spend all day finishing off the holes with a variety of coloured leafs.
I’m sure they are using my passion flower leaves.
Hope they continue to be a source of interest - and I’m glad you didn’t exterminate them!
We haven’t seen our bee yet this summer - so the wisteria is in in “full”-leaf - but we keep looking.
Ah, I’m glad I read this blog before taking action. I have at least two leafcutter bees turning my rose leaves into doilies. They are taking the cut pieces through a slit into a polythene hanging flower bag.
I thought they might be wasps and was going to dispose of the bag but now I know they are not harmful I shall leave it where it is and continue to watch with interest.
Jackie (London)
It seems a shame to exterminate these little chaps - but we all get upset by damage in our gardens. As far as we know we only had one bee so the depredations to our wisteria were relatively limited. I think I would check out some of the web-sites for thoughts on protecting the roses etc. I’m afraid I’m not an expert so not really able to give advice.