Megachile macneilli is a species of leafcutter bee belonging to the family Megachilidae. The species was formally described by the entomologist T.B. Mitchell in 1965. It is placed within the genus Megachile, which comprises solitary bees that commonly cut pieces of leaves to construct brood cells.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Hymenoptera
- Family: Megachilidae
- Genus: Megachile
- Species: M. macneilli
- Authority: Mitchell, 1965
Distribution
Published records indicate that Megachile macneilli occurs in North America, with confirmed observations from the United States. Specific state or locality data are limited in publicly available literature.
Biology and Ecology
As a member of the genus Megachile, the species is presumed to be a solitary bee that constructs nests in pre‑existing cavities (e.g., hollow stems, wood holes). Females typically line brood cells with cut leaf fragments, a behavior characteristic of leafcutter bees. Detailed studies on the foraging preferences, phenology, or nesting biology of M. macneilli have not been widely reported.
Conservation Status
There is insufficient information to assess the conservation status of Megachile macneilli on a global or regional scale. No specific threats or population trends have been documented in the scientific literature.
References
- Mitchell, T. B. (1965). A revision of the genus Megachile in the United States (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 58(3), 497‑513.
- Michener, C. D. (2007). The Bees of the World (2nd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press.
Note: Information presented reflects current knowledge from peer‑reviewed taxonomic sources. Additional research may provide further details on the species' distribution, biology, and conservation.
