Megachile (Hackeriapis) sp. ♀

Swan Coastal Plain, Perth, Western Australia

Leafcutter bees gain their common name through their habit of lining their nesting chambers with leaf segments. These are cut out of soft leaves, often leaving distint circular markings. Not all bees in the genus Megachile are actual "leafcutters", some may use resin to seal the individual cells of their nests. Identification provided by Terry Houston, of the Western Australian Museum.

Photographed for the Meet Your Neighbours international nature photography project in Perth, Western Australia.

Canon EOS 7D with Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro lens; 1/250s at f/16 ISO 250, flash fired: from hand.