Biology of the Giant Resin Bee, Megachile sculpturalis Smith, a Conspicuos New Immigrant in Maryland

Authors

Suzanne W.T. Batra

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

The Maryland Naturalist

Volume

42

Issue

1

Publication Date

6-1-1998

First Page

1

Last Page

3

Abstract

Both sexes of Megachile sculpturalis, a large east Asian solitary bee, were found on privet flowers at Beltsville, Maryland, in July, 1997. It was intercepted at ports in 1968 and 1976, and was first recorded living in the USA, in North Carolina, in 1994. The preferred pollen host of this bee is kudzu, Pueraria lobata, a native of eastern Asia. It makes cells out of resin in holes in wood and in hollow stems. It is expected to extend its range throughout the mid-Atlantic and southeastern United States. It may have some value as a managed pollinator of legumes, other crops, and ornamentals that bloom in summer.

Recommended Citation

Batra, Suzanne W.T., "Biology of the Giant Resin Bee, Megachile sculpturalis Smith, a Conspicuos New Immigrant in Maryland" (1998). Ba. Paper 173.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/bee_lab_ba/173