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Home » Forums » General Discussion

'Farming' Insects in USA?

A bee or bee-like insect (sawfly maybe?) was repeatedly slicing pieces off a spicebush leaf (Lindera benzoin) and flying away with them.
Does anyone know the explanation for this behavior?

Could this be similar to how leaf-cutter ants collect leaves and grow a fungus for food? Also, more generally, does anyone know of any insect species in the northern US that do 'farm' like that?
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Contributed by RyanRI on 28 June, 2017 - 1:55pm

It sounds like...
...a Leaf-cutter Bee.

They cut pieces of leaves to seal off the chambers in their nests.
… Ken Wolgemuth, 28 June, 2017 - 2:34pm login or register to post comments

 
thank you!
.
… RyanRI, 28 June, 2017 - 4:32pm login or register to post comments

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