Megachile aurifrons

Megachile aurifrons is a species of bee in the family Megachilidae.[2] It was described by Frederick Smith in 1853.[2]

Megachile aurifrons is preparing the nesting hole in a disused mud wasp nest.
Megachile aurifrons collects pollen on the underside of the abdomen taking it back to the nesting hole, to deposit as food for the offspring.
The Golden-browed Resin Bee (Megachile aurifrons), sealing the nesting hole with resin.
The Golden-browed Resin Bee (Megachile aurifrons) emerges from the nesting hole, to collect more pollen.
The Red-eyed Golden-browed Resin Bee (Megachile aurifrons) emerging from the nesting hole.

Megachile aurifrons
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Megachilidae
Genus: Megachile
Species:
M. aurifrons
Binomial name
Megachile aurifrons
Smith, 1853[1]
Golden-browed Resin Bee (Megachile aurifrons) sealing the nesting hole with resin

An Australian native bee that is larger than the usual native bee, the Megachile aurifrons female bee measures about 12 mm in length, whilst the male is smaller at about 10 mm in length. It is the female bee that has the distinctive red eyes, whilst the male have eyes that are more milky coloured with red tint. Both male and female of the species have the “golden brow” on their faces, hence their common name of the ‘Golden-browed Resin Bee’. The ‘resin’ part of the name alludes to the resin they make to cap their nesting holes.[3]

The female of the species select and prepare the nesting cells for the next generation of bees. Once each cell is cleaned and lined/filled with pollen/nectar, the female Megachile aurifrons lays a single larva in the cell and then seals the cell with a resin cap.[4]

Image of the Golden-browed Resin Bee (Megachile aurifrons), creating a nesting cell in discarded plastic irrigation hose pipe.
Golden-browed Resin Bee (Megachile aurifrons), nesting in plastic irrigation hose pipe.

What the Megachile aurifrons select for creating her nesting cells can vary, from disused mud nests created by mud wasps, "bee hotels" found in urban gardens, and even old irrigation pipe pipes that may be found laying around.[5]

References
  1. Smith, Frederick (1853). Catalogue of hymenopterous insects in the collection of the British Museum. Part I. Andrenidae and Apidae. London: British Museum (Natural History). pp. 1–197. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  2. "Megachile". BioLib. 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
  3. "Megachile aurifrons". ausemade.com.au. Retrieved 2021-11-27.
  4. "Megachile aurifrons – capping the nest". ausemade.com.au. Retrieved 2023-05-07.
  5. "Megachile aurifrons – opportunity knocks". ausemade.com.au. Retrieved 2023-05-07.
Megachile aurifrons collects pollen on the abdomen, taking it back to the nest to deposit.


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