Fun Fact Friday July 14, 2023

Today's #funfactfriday is about the damage you see on the leaves of this pigeon pea tree. Did you know that this circular damage is actually caused by a leafcutter bee, Megachilidae bees.

They cut the leaves of plants in this fashion to help them build nests - usually in hollow pieces of wood. Since they are solitary bees, they do not build hives as a colony. Each piece of leaf helps separate different cells for their eggs to be laid.

So, if you see damage on your leaves that looks like this... it is most likely a unique pollinator and please avoid spraying pesticides to control it.

See you.............................................