Leaf cutter bee

This year I have found lots of evidence of leaf cutter bee activity. They cut out circlular pieces of leaf from shrub leaves for nesting material. I actually love the shapes they leave behind.... but the cocoons are amazing. They form little cigar shaped cocoons with the leaves cut from soft leaves plants ( mine were on my roses ) find a nesting site and travel back and for with its leaves, picking up pollen as it goes.It makes several of these little cocoons,  lays an egg and leaves some nectar/pollen and closes up the chamber with a circular plug at the end of the bullet shaped nest. 

If you are interested in reading more....  https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/pa...cutterbee/

Some rose leaves and some nests found in my garden.