Photo: USDA ARS / Public Domain
Megachile rotundata
Alfalfa Leafcutter Bee
The smallest leafcutter bee in Switzerland (6–9 mm), dark grey with white abdominal hair bands and white ventral scopa in females. It is commercially the most important leafcutter bee worldwide, widely managed for alfalfa pollination. It nests in pre-existing cavities, lining cells with oval-cut leaves. In Switzerland it is introduced and naturalised in agricultural areas, gardens, and parks in warm lowland regions, with one to two generations per year. Swiss Red List: Least Concern (LC).
Species Facts
- Size
- 6–9 mm
- Flight Period
- June to August
- Nesting
- Cavities
- Specialization
- Generalist
- Abundance
- Uncommon
- Family
- Megachilidae
External Sources
This data has been cross-referenced with national sources:
Data Source & Copyright
| Category | Source / Author | License |
|---|---|---|
| Photo | USDA ARS | Public Domain |
| Taxonomy & Distribution | InfoFauna Switzerland | Public data |
| Global Distribution | GBIF | CC BY 4.0 |
Data Quality
High Quality Last audit: 2026-05-22
Completeness: 100%
✓Photo exists✓Traits consistent✓Description quality✓Red List referenced✓Attribution verified
Confidence: 67%
IdentifiabilityMediumImage confidenceMediumImage qualityHighTrait coherenceHigh
