Carpenter-mimic Leaf-cutter Bee

That's what it's called! In our back yard garden.

The taxonomy, from “Arthropod” (Phylum) down:
» Arthropods (phylum Arthropoda)
»» Hexapods (subphylum Hexapoda)
»»» Insects (class Insecta)
»»»» Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies (order Hymenoptera)
»»»»» Aculeata – Ants, Bees and Stinging Wasps
»»»»»» Anthophila (Apoidea) - Bees
»»»»»»» Leaf-cutter Bees, Mason Bees, and allies (family Megachilidae)
»»»»»»»» Megachilinae (subfamily)
»»»»»»»»» Megachilini (tribe)
»»»»»»»»»» Leaf-cutter and Resin Bees (genus Megachile)
»»»»»»»»»»» Subgenus Melanosarus, Black Leaf-cutter Bees (Megachile Subgenus Melanosarus, Black Leaf-cutter Bees)
»»»»»»»»»»»» Carpenter-mimic Leaf-cutter Bee (species Megachile xylocopoides)

Confirmed at BugGuide as “Megachile xylocopoides” or “Carpenter-mimic Leaf-cutter Bee”; http://bugguide.net/node/view/988838

1 year ago (“Ladder Toss”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2013-08-10
2 years ago (“‘Dorsal’ view: Gotcha!”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-08-10
3 years ago (“Photo treasures”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-08-10

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[Rick Schies]

Wonderful close detailing