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Leaf cutter bees

13 years ago

I've heard that they are not a problem, but I must have a huge population in one corner of my yard. All summer they've been ravishing Mme Antoine Marie, Cl SdlM, and Arcadia Louisiana Tea. One leaf I saw tonight had SIX cut-outs. There wasn't much leaf left. Poor ALT is almost bare. Will these bees ever go away? Are they pollinating bees? Can they be urged to leave?

Sherry

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Comments (6)

hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
13 years ago
Yes they are pollinating bees. Give them a break, times are tough for bees these days.
berndoodle
13 years ago
They're good luck and they won't harm the rose.
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kstrong
13 years ago
I love my leafcutter bees. How could you not? See this little video: Leafcutter Bee .

Give them a break -- they only do this at the time of year when they are nest-building, which is now. And they only like the softest, healthiest rose leaves you have, so they won't attack any plant that is already weakened by drought or disease. Leave 'em bee.
sherryocala
Original Author
13 years ago
Gee, ladies, I wouldn't hurt these bees. I see bees everywhere in my garden now, but I've never actually seen them cutting leaves (thanks for the video). I'm happy that they're happy here, but Arcadia Louisiana Tea is definitely not happy. I have wax begonias - lots of flowers with lots of pollen, I guess - planted among these roses. Maybe they're not a good idea so close to the roses. They've become very large plants, too.

This gardening thing is a learning experience. That's what I'm trying to do - learn, so go easy on me, OK? I'm one of the good guys. Help me help ALT before she croaks. Thanks.

Sherry
mrlike2u
13 years ago
Leaf cutters ( totally harmless) are attracted to certain roses here and not at all interested in some others. I don't think it has anything to do with your additional pollinating plants that attracts them as they seem to have minds of there own on what they will munch on and not munch on. The plant victims here (roses and others) seem to remain the same each year, if your thinking about moving rose(s) or plant(s) to prevent them from getting to others would be just a wasted effort.

There homes are rather small in size they borrow in pen tip sized holes. (Example: a pruned rose cane.) You could use Elmers glue to close the hole(s) it might slow them down a bit but there homes will be many as well.

Other than that the only thing I would suggest is to let them do there thing and enjoy it as a work in progress.
What I mean by this is ... You know when you deadhead roses and then some new roses re bloom ?

Think of the leaf cutter bees as natures way of "deadheading" foliage and for the better part more effective.
greybird
13 years ago
I am always so amazed to catch the leaf cutter bees doing what they do. Just how do they cut that perfect circle while in flight, then take off with it? Another little miracle taking place in our gardens daily.

Thanks for the link Kstrong.

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