Megachile pluto

Megachile pluto is widely described as the largest known living leafcutter bee. It is a native member of Indonesia's bee fauna and has become a symbol in entomology for size variation in Megachilidae. The species is frequently discussed because it does not fit common assumptions about tiny bee scales.

Like other leafcutter bees, it uses cut pieces of leaf or plant material to line or build brood cells. This behavior places it in the broader leafcutter niche even though its size is unusual. Its large body size is often what first surprises observers.

The species is linked to Indonesian forests, including areas where large bee records and historical collecting have been reported. It was described from material attributed to Java, and the species remains of interest to taxonomists. Distribution records are more limited than for many common honeybees.

Its rarity and size make it important for studies of pollinator diversity and evolutionary ecology in Southeast Asia. It also helps calibrate expectations of body size in solitary bees versus social bees. Because it is less common in collections, each verified record adds value to biodiversity databases.