Subject: Honey bee?
Location: Houston, TX
November 23, 2013 7:53 pm
I put a log on the fire and, sadly, it was inhabited by this bee. It was stuck in the fireplace screen and when I tried to remove it, it’s head fell off. I tried to put it back together. It seems larger and darker than a regular honey bee, but not quite a bumblebee. Suggestions? Thanks!
Signature: treyzmama
Dear treyzmama,
This appears to be a Leaf-Cutting Bee in the genus Megachile. According to BugGuide: “Most nest in pre-existent holes in wood. Female typically cuts neat, more-or-less round pieces out of leaves to serve as separators between cells of nest.” There was most likely a nest in the log you threw on the fire.
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination