Mountain leafcutter bee
Megachile montivaga
insectView on iNaturalist
Small metallic-green bee with leaf-cutting behavior. Cuts native plant leaves to line nests; critical pollinator for wildflowers in Bay Area chaparral and open slopes.
Plants that support Mountain leafcutter bee
3 plants
Graceful Clarkia
Clarkia gracilis ssp. tracyi
perennial herb
Pollen collection during blooming season for brood provisioning
Bay Area native
Ruby Chalice Clarkia
Clarkia rubicunda
annual
Pollen provisioning for developing larvae during nesting season
Bay Area native
Splendid Mariposa Lily
Calochortus splendens
geophyte
Early season forage for nesting females
Bay Area native