Leaf cutter bee (Megachile anthracina)

Symptoms

• Cutting neat circular or oval patches from the leaf margins.
• Cut bits of leaves - used for the construction nest cells.

Management

• Cover susceptible plants with cheesecloth or loose netting for preventing leaf injury damage
• Breeding sites should be eliminated
• Application of saw dust on the tunnel or thick stemmed plants with hollowed opening
• To prevent leafcutter bees from tunnelling into rose canes, seal exposed pith as canes are pruned.