Sculptured Resin Bee
Megachile sculpturalis
This record describes Megachile sculpturalis (species). Recorded family: Megachilidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
body cylindrical, 14-24 mm in length (longer than most bees in NA), females usually larger than males; head and abdomen black, thorax covered with dense yellowish-brown hairs, wings dark but transparent Mangum & Bambara They are opportunistic and nest in existing wooden cavities, rather than excavating their own. Effectively pollinate kudzu, another invasive species.
Wikipedia reference for Megachile sculpturalis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megachile_sculpturalis.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Megachilidae (Leafcutter, Mason, and Resin Bees, and allies)
- Subfamily
- Megachilinae
- Tribe
- Megachilini
- Genus
- Megachile (Leafcutter and Resin Bees)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
native to e. Asia, recently introduced to NA. It was first reported in North Carolina in June, 1994. ( Global map ). Eastern NA, more recently found also in California.
Seasonal Activity
Jun-Sep in NC
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images.
Life History
"The female bee nests alone and begins by preparing a cell in an existing tube or narrow cavity, using resin and sap collected from trees. Other materials such as bits of rotten wood and mud are also used in nest construction. Next she collects pollen and carries it to the nest on the underside of her hairy abdomen. After completing several pollen collecting trips, she lays an egg on the pollen ball in the cell. Then she seals it, and prepares another cell. Continuing in this fashion, one female can complete about 10 cells. If the entrance of the nesting tube is directly exposed to the outside, the tube may be noticeably sealed with a resin, wood and sometimes mud cap. After the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on the pollen and spend the winter within their cells. The larvae pupate in late spring and the adults emerge that summer. Mangum & Bambara
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Megachile sculpturalis. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Sculptured Resin Bee (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Beatriz Moisset; Additional contributions by Mike Boone , Chuck Entz , John S. Ascher , v belov , hg
Frequently Asked Questions About Sculptured Resin Bee
What is Sculptured Resin Bee?
Sculptured Resin Bee (Megachile sculpturalis) is a species in the family Megachilidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Sculptured Resin Bee?
14-24 mm
How do you identify Sculptured Resin Bee?
body cylindrical, 14-24 mm in length (longer than most bees in NA), females usually larger than males; head and abdomen black, thorax covered with dense yellowish-brown hairs, wings dark but transparent Mangum & Bambara
Where is Sculptured Resin Bee found?
Range: native to e. Asia, recently introduced to NA. It was first reported in North Carolina in June, 1994. ( Global map ). Eastern NA, more recently found also in California.
What does Sculptured Resin Bee eat?
The diet of the Sculptured Resin Bee includes The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Sculptured Resin Bee active?
Sculptured Resin Bee: seasonal activity - Jun-Sep in NC.
What is the life cycle of a Sculptured Resin Bee?
The female bee nests alone and begins by preparing a cell in an existing tube or narrow cavity, using resin and sap collected from trees. Other materials such as bits of rotten wood and mud are also used in nest construction. Next she collects pollen and carries it to the nest on the underside of her hairy abdomen. After completing several pollen collecting trips, she lays an egg on the pollen ball in the cell. Then she seals it, and prepares another cell. Continuing in this fashion, one female can complete about 10 cells. If the entrance of the nesting tube is directly exposed to the outside, the tube may be noticeably sealed with a resin, wood and sometimes mud cap. After the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on the pollen and spend the winter within their cells. The larvae pupate in late spring and the adults emerge that summer. Mangum & Bambara