Distribution

All states and territories of Australia.

Identification

6–15 mm in size. They belong to the same genus as some resin bees.  Stout-bodied and dark in colour. Females carry pollen on the underside of the body rather than the hind legs. Females have stout mandibles and big heads in proportion to the body.

Behaviour

They cut perfect half-circle or oval shapes along the edges of ornamental plant leaves such as roses, azaleas, ash, redbud, bougainvillea and other plants with thin smooth leaves. 

Importance

Pollinators of many flowering plants.

Damage

Beneficial for the most part but can damage ornamental plant leaves because of their leaf-cutting behaviour.