Photo: Judy Gallagher / CC BY 2.0
Megachile sculpturalis
Giant Resin Bee
The largest Megachilidae in Europe, measuring 19–25 mm. It has a shiny black abdomen, dense yellowish-brown hair on the thorax, and massive four-toothed mandibles. Native to East Asia, it was introduced to Europe and has spread rapidly including to Switzerland, where it is now found in urban areas of Geneva, Zurich, Ticino, and Valais. It nests in pre-existing cavities, sealing cells with resin. Swiss Red List: Not Evaluated (NE).
Species Facts
- Size
- 19-25 mm
- Flight Period
- June to September
- Nesting
- Cavities
- Specialization
- Generalist
- Abundance
- Rare
- Family
- Megachilidae
External Sources
This data has been cross-referenced with national sources:
Data Source & Copyright
| Category | Source / Author | License |
|---|---|---|
| Photo | Judy Gallagher | CC BY 2.0 |
| Taxonomy & Distribution | InfoFauna Switzerland | Public data |
| Global Distribution | GBIF | CC BY 4.0 |
Data Quality
High Quality Last audit: 2026-05-22
Completeness: 80%
✓Photo exists✓Traits consistent✓Description quality✗Red List referenced✓Attribution verified
Confidence: 67%
IdentifiabilityMediumImage confidenceMediumImage qualityHighTrait coherenceHigh
Red List status missing from description
