Megachile aurifrons – capping the nest

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After the Golden-browed Resin Bee (Megachile aurifrons) has lined the nest, filled it with pollen and laid the egg, it then goes about sealing the entrance to the nest with resin. The colour of the resin can vary, based on the leaves used to create the resin.

The bee macerates the leaf into a pulp, turning it into a resin-like substance. This material is used to create a seal to cover the hole (that is the entrance) to the nest, to protect the content and egg within. The resin can vary in colour, from dull green to luminous bright green, but will age to dull green or a dark, almost black in colour. Some seals may be brown or reddish in colour.

In the following photo you can see the resin cap is dull green in colour. They can vary, with some freshly capped nesting holes being a glossy green, that usually darkens over time.