Megachile aurifrons — pollen

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The Megachile aurifrons is a native bee, who like other native bees collect pollen on their abdomen. The collection of the pollen and the flowering plant it has come from, can effect how we view the colour of the bee, especially when the bee is covered in the pollen.

Some Golden-browed Resin Bee may appear to have a creamy white abdomen, others will have more of a yellow abdomen, yet others may have an orange abdomen. This reflects the many different plants that the Megachile aurifrons (who are known as generalist feeders) would have collected the pollen from, such as Eucalyptus spp, Acacia spp, Melaleuca spp, Swainsona spp, and many others.

Traces of pollen can be seen on the end of the abdomen and head of the Megachile aurifrons as it goes back to the nest.

Whilst the Megachile aurifrons may nest close to each other and in the same structure, they are solitary native bees.

The Megachile aurifrons belong to the family Megachilidae, known as the “leafcutter”. The species in this family use leaves to line their nests. The Megachile aurifrons macerates the leaf into a pulp, creating a resin-like material to seal the hole where the offsprings are laid with the pollen.

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Megachilidae
Genus: Megachile
Species: Megachile aurifrons

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