Leafcutter bees are unusual insects that do not produce honey or live in colonies. These individuals are capable of leaving round or oval holes on the foliage of plants, which leads to a deterioration in their appearance. However, they still represent an important component of the ecosystem. Such insects contribute to the pollination of various crops, which helps increase their productivity.
Description of the leafcutter bee
In appearance, the alfalfa leafcutter bee resembles ordinary individuals. However, there are some differences in the form of a darker shade and a slightly blurred abdomen.Unlike ordinary bees, such individuals feed on green leaves of crops. They also absorb flower nectar.
Leaf cutters eat very quickly. Therefore, in literally 1 minute they can visit 20 varieties of flower crops. When bees eat, they collect pollen on their feet. With each visit to a new flower, pollination occurs.
Features of behavior
Leaf cutters are solitary bees. The females make their own nest and provide brood cells. Although such individuals are considered solitary, they prefer to settle not far from other leaf cutters. Bees are also able to live in artificial shelters. Therefore, they are often used by people to pollinate agricultural plants.
Females spend the night in their nest and are most active in warm sunny weather, when temperature parameters are more than +20 degrees. They usually do not forage in cloudy weather or at lower temperatures. During the colder months, alfalfa bees are less active. Sometimes adult females use their sting for defensive purposes, but they cannot be called aggressive.
What harm does it do?
These insects do not harm plants, but they can ruin their appearance. In addition, nibbling leaves takes a matter of seconds. Not all gardeners like this. Therefore, they take measures to combat insects.
Otherwise, leaf cutters only bring benefits.They help pollinate plants and collect nectar from flower stalks. Thanks to this, the number of ovaries increases.
How to determine the appearance in the garden?
When such insects appear in the garden, round and oval depressions form on roses and other flowers. It looks like they were made with scissors. Usually all strong crops cope with such damage without problems. However, the appearance and decorative properties of flowers deteriorate.
How to get rid of it?
To maintain the attractiveness of the flower garden, leaf cutters must be dealt with correctly. To do this, it is recommended to do the following:
- cover the bushes with a fine mesh net or use gauze;
- powder the plants with sifted wood ash or tobacco dust;
- treat the flowers with soapy water.
It is important to take into account that the use of solutions, ash or tobacco dust will give an effect, but it will last until the first rain.
To protect the rose, it is recommended to feed it with potassium preparations. Such substances will make the leaves tougher and unattractive to insects. Nitrogen agents, on the contrary, lead to the growth of green mass and make the foliage soft and attractive to leaf cutters.
If you want to distract alfalfa bees from roses, it is recommended to plant flowers and trees nearby that are attractive to insects. To completely clear your garden of such insects, you should adhere to the following rules:
- Remove dead thistle, reeds, reeds, and thistles. Leaf cutters often live in the dry stems of these plants or nearby. In this case, dry and fallen trees pose a particular danger.
- If a bee nest is found within easy reach, it must be carefully removed and taken as far away as possible. It is also permissible to leave the nest.In this case, next spring, after the young individuals have fledged, it is recommended to caulk the hole.
Leafcutter bees are beneficial and rare insects. They provide processing of a large number of plants, including difficult-to-pollinated crops. At the same time, the harm they cause is minimal. Experts do not recommend getting rid of leaf cutters on your property. They help increase productivity, especially when growing legumes.
