Megachile mucida, M, Face, NC, Moore Co

The male of Megachile mucida, this is one of the leafcutter bees, here even the male has a massive mandible, though it does not involve itself in making or tending nests....note the forelegs which are tucked under the front of the bee, these are widened greatly and are used to cover the eyes of the female when mating. Collected by Heather Campbell in the Southern Pines area of North Carolina. Note the pollen grains scattered throughout...even males are pollinators