Megachile is the scientific name for this species of bee, commonly found in Ireland.
This is a leafcutter bee, a solitary species that makes its nests in small sticks and holes in walls, sealed up with a portion of leaf that it has cut with its powerful jaws.
Above, collecting pollen from Erigeron flowers, below here it is seen resting on a calendula leaf amongst cultivated tomatoes with a cut leaf in its possession. I watched them flying in hot conditions with their cut leaves, a heavy ballast. They land on another plant and wait for about a minute, resting, before flying off again to seal up a hole not too far away.
Bees are important pollinators of plants and trees and it is always amazing to watch these industrious insects as they fly through the garden on their busy mission. I saw my first bee of 2018 back in January - alas Google Plus no longer exists.
Read more about Irish bees here: http://www.biodiversityireland.ie/projects/irish-pollinator-initiative/bees/solitary-bees/
