Taxonomy

Osmia (Helicosmia) aurulenta

Distribution

Status

Conservation status

Near threatened

Species Biology

Identification

  • Medium sized solitary species (7-12mm)
  • Chunky in appearance
  • Females have ginger hairs on the thorax, and ginger hair bands on the abdomen which are most obvious at the tip
  • Males are often smaller, with greyer hairs on the thorax

Habitat

Restricted to sand dunes, found on the east and south coasts

Flight period

April-August

Nesting biology

Nest in empty snail-shells

Flowers visited

Polylectic - Inula, Carduus, Onopordum, Echium, Helianthemum, Lotus, Vicia, Lathyrus, Onobrychis, Trifolium, Ononis, Medicago, Melilotus, Lupinus, Salvia, Lamium, Ajuga

Distribution

World distribution(GBIF)

South- and Central-Europe, northwards up to 57ºN, up to 2000m in the Alps

Temporal change

Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024

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References

Publications

Conservation status: FitzPatrick Ú., Murray T.E., Byrne A., Paxton R.J., Brown M.J.F. (2006) Regional Red List of Irish Bees, Publ. Rep. to National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland) and Environment and Heritage Service (N. Ireland). http://www.npws.ie/publications/red-lists

Flowers visited & World distribution: Westrich, P. (1989) Die Wildbienen Baden-Württembergs. Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart, Germany.

Images