leaf-cutting bee

noun

any of the bees of the family Megachilidae that cut circular pieces from leaves or flowers to line their nests.

Origin of leaf-cutting bee

First recorded in 1795–1805

The Rose leaf-cutting bee spoils the foliage by cutting semi-circular pieces out of the leaves to line its nest.
Roses and Rose Growing | Rose Georgina Kingsley
Well, the leaf-cutting bee is even less well off than ourselves.
Insect Adventures | J. Henri Fabre
Sometimes the leaf-cutting bee has time to alight and stick her head into the mouth of the pit.
Insect Adventures | J. Henri Fabre
A clever burglar, the parasite of the leaf-cutting bee, receives a sound whipping under my eyes.
Insect Adventures | J. Henri Fabre

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