About Megachile sculpturalis Smith, 1853
Megachile sculpturalis is a species of leafcutting resin bee. Males of this species reach a body length of approximately 19–22 mm (0.75–0.87 in), while females are typically larger than males, reaching a body length of about 21–25 mm (0.83–0.98 in). This species is much larger than most other leafcutting bees. It has a cylindrical body, large jaws, and transparent wings that are brown with darker coloration toward the tips. Its head and abdomen are mainly black; the abdomen is rather shiny and hairless, while the thorax is covered in dense yellowish-brown pubescence. Males have a truncated, squared abdomen, whereas females have an almost tapered, pointed abdomen. Females also have four dentate mandibles. This species is native to Japan and China, and has been introduced to the Eastern United States and Ontario, Canada in recent times. It first became established in the United States during the early 1990s, and there are currently confirmed records of it from most states east of the Mississippi River. In Europe, it was first observed near the port of Marseille, France in 2008. Since then, this invasive species has also been recorded in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, and Switzerland. In the United States, these resin bees live in the nests of Xylocopa spp., and are often found around wooden structures such as doors, decks, and porches.
