leaf cutter

1 definition found

leaf cutter - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  leaf cutter \leaf cutter\, leaf-cutter \leaf-cutter\n. (Zool.)
     Any one of various species of wild bees of the genus
     Megachile, which cut rounded pieces from the edges of
     leaves, or the petals of flowers, to be used in the
     construction of their nests, which are made in holes and
     crevices, or in a leaf rolled up for the purpose. Among the
     common American species are Megachile brevis and Megachile centuncularis
     . Called also rose-cutting bee.
  
     Syn: leaf-cutting bee, leaf-cutter bee.
          [1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5]