Australian native bee - Megachile maculariformis (male) - Leafcutter Bee Card
Reproduced from an original watercolour painting by Cheryl Hodges. Greeting card 10 x 15cm, blank inside with brown recycled envelope.
Text on reverse of card reads:
On the male Megachile maculariformis, the fore tarsi (on the front leg) is enlarged and patterned, and it is assumed that this is for recognition during mating. They are called leafcutter bees because the females cut circles and ovals from particular leaves and take them back to their burrow where they create little cradles for their eggs. The ovals go on the sides, the circles on the top and the base. They create one cradle, add some nectar and pollen, lay a single egg, then seal that section off and add the next cradle.
Reproduced from an original watercolour painting by Cheryl Hodges. Greeting card 10 x 15cm, blank inside with brown recycled envelope.
Text on reverse of card reads:
On the male Megachile maculariformis, the fore tarsi (on the front leg) is enlarged and patterned, and it is assumed that this is for recognition during mating. They are called leafcutter bees because the females cut circles and ovals from particular leaves and take them back to their burrow where they create little cradles for their eggs. The ovals go on the sides, the circles on the top and the base. They create one cradle, add some nectar and pollen, lay a single egg, then seal that section off and add the next cradle.
Reproduced from an original watercolour painting by Cheryl Hodges. Greeting card 10 x 15cm, blank inside with brown recycled envelope.
Text on reverse of card reads:
On the male Megachile maculariformis, the fore tarsi (on the front leg) is enlarged and patterned, and it is assumed that this is for recognition during mating. They are called leafcutter bees because the females cut circles and ovals from particular leaves and take them back to their burrow where they create little cradles for their eggs. The ovals go on the sides, the circles on the top and the base. They create one cradle, add some nectar and pollen, lay a single egg, then seal that section off and add the next cradle.
