Alfalfa Leafcutter Bee Facts

There are 3 essential items for prime Leafcutter bee habitat:1. nesting place, 2. pollen source, 3. leaf source.

The best nesting place for Leafcutter bees are in reed tubes; they feel most natural to the bees and provide a far greater return than other products including wood blocks, straws, misc.tubes, and grooved boards. To read more about nesting materials click here.
They require a pollen source: alfalfa, canola, cranberries, onions, peas, blueberries, and various other vegetables and melons.
They prefer soft flexible plants to harvest leaves for nest construction: alfalfa, flower petals, clover, buckwheat, roses, and other plant species.

Leafcutter Bees nest in tunnel cavities/tubes where they lay their larva. They lay 8-15 larva per tube; each larva is separated into cells where the mother places collected pollen and nectar to feed her young. Each cell is separated by layers of leaves. The bee collects layers by chewing semicircles in leaves and flower petals, hence the name “Leafcutter”. Holes are a good sign on your leaves! Once the tube is full the bee cements leaves together to plug off the entrance as a barrier against rain, predators, and parasites. She then moves on to the next tube.

Once you receive your bees keep the in a cold place such as the fridge, garage, or cold storage; below 40*F (ideally 35*) so they stay in hibernation from fall to spring. Warning: if cocoons’ temperature exceeds 44*F for an extended period of time they will not hibernate properly; this may result in premature emergence and/or death.

Keep the bees in cold hibernation until outside temperature consistently exceeds 70*F; it is then time to place the bees in your bee house for releasing. You may also place summertime bees in the house in spring with he spring time bees and let mother nature take it from there. If the habitat is right roughly 80% will nest from where they emerge and the return of bees should be between 80-120% for next years pollination.

Magachile species require winter temperatures for successful emergence the following spring. In September- October (after the first frost) take the bee house down (or cover) and place until next spring. This will help keep parasites/predators away. if house is taken down early it can dislodge the larva from their food, be sure to store with the entrances up so larva remains in contact with their food at all times. This is the best time to replace used reeds and purchase new bees if needed.