Megachile fidelis is a species of leafcutter bee in the family Megachilidae. It was first described by entomologist Ezra Townsend Cresson in 1878. As a member of the genus Megachile, it is a solitary bee that builds nests in pre‑existing cavities, lining brood cells with cut pieces of leaf or petals.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Hymenoptera
- Family: Megachilidae
- Genus: Megachile
- Species: M. fidelis
Distribution and habitat
Megachile fidelis is documented primarily in the eastern United States, with records extending from the Atlantic Coast westward to parts of the Midwest. It inhabits a variety of open habitats, including gardens, meadows, and woodland edges, where suitable nesting substrates and floral resources are available.
Biology and ecology
Females collect pollen on the ventral scopae (hairy patches) of the abdomen, a characteristic feature of megachilid bees. They harvest foliage to construct brood cells, typically provisioning each cell with a mixture of pollen and nectar before laying a single egg. Adults are polylectic, visiting a range of flowering plants for nectar and pollen, though specific floral preferences have not been extensively catalogued.
Conservation status
There is no current evidence indicating that Megachile fidelis faces significant conservation threats; it is not listed on major threatened‑species databases. However, like many native pollinators, it may be impacted by habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and climate change.
References
- Cresson, E. T. (1878). Descriptions of new species of bees. Transactions of the American Entomological Society, 6, 179‑190.
- Ascher, J. S., & Pickering, J. (2023). Discover Life bee species guide and world checklist (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Anthophila). Retrieved from https://www.discoverlife.org.
Note: All information presented reflects data available from recognized entomological sources up to the knowledge cutoff date.
