My nickels worth;  Leafcutters will concentrate on pollen but will also
gather some nectar for fuel.  Each female provisions their leaf-piece
lined cells with pollen, lay an egg on it and closes the cell, then starts
a new one.  They don't store nectar to overwinter like honey bees.
Leafcutters will probably start foraging earlier in the am. I'm not aware
of competition per se, at least the bees don't "fight" over the forage.
 
grins, John
 
John A. Skinner           218 Ellington Hall
Extension Apiculturist    University of Tennessee
[log in to unmask]          Knoxville, TN  37901   (423)974-7138
 
 
On Thu, 14 May 1998, Allen Dick wrote:
 
> I'm wondering what insight list members may have on the coexistence of
> Alfalfa leafcutter bees and honey bees.
>
> We'll be placing hives on Canola fields where leafcutters are also being
> placed and wonder how much interaction is likely to take place.  Are
> leafcutters heavy consumers of pollen or nectar?  Are there diseases in
> common?
>
> Allen
>