27
SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE
LEAF-CUTTING BEE (MEGACHILE) AND ITS
PARASITE (COELIOXYS).
By HENRY MOTHERSOLE.
Read 26th January, 1924.
BEFORE giving an account of my observations it will be
necessary to explain the construction of the observation
nesting tubes which I employed. The actual tube is made from
a piece of deal 8" x 2" x 11/2" thick. In this I bored a hole through
the thickness, 3/8" diameter, 11/2" from the end ; from this hole
I cut a groove 6" in length, and of the same diameter as the
entrance hole, first of all planing the surface so that the glass.
cover should fit quite closely. The glass was
cut 8" x 2", and kept in position by a zinc strap
turned over at one edge, made in one piece and
kept in position by three small tacks on either
side ; no clip is required at the top. The glass
can thus be easily withdrawn at any time. To
exclude the light and keep out rain I had a zinc
shutter, hinged at the top and made to fit
loosely, with an edge 3/4" wide all round.
As a permanent stand to hold the tubes firm-
ly at a convenient height, I drove two pieces of
angle iron into the ground about five feet apart,
with a piece of timber 3" x 2" fixed between ;
into this a number of wire pins (nails with their
heads removed) were driven, 11/4" apart, the pins
fitting into holes previously made in the base of
the tubes ; this ensures firmness and enables the
tubes to be easily removed. A roof of light
galvanized iron to keep off heavy rain is fixed
to an iron support at each end of the cross
timber.
To some persons the Leaf-cutter Bee may be
a troublesome insect. Rose lovers may object

Fig. i.
to the untidy appearance caused by its per-
sistent attacks on the green leaves ; should there be any such
among the readers of this article, I hope as a result of the. obser-
vations I have to make they will forgive, if they cannot forget,
these depredations.