Taxonomy

Osmia (Osmia) rufa | Red Mason Bee

Pre 2017

2017 - 2020

Status

Conservation status

Not evaluated - possible deliberate introduction (for use as a pollinator)

Species Biology

Identification

  • This species is now called Osmia bicornis
  • Large sized solitary species (10-14mm)
  • Chunky in appearance
  • Hairy bee, hairs on the abdomen are more ginger than those on the thorax, which are a mix of grey/ginger and black
  • Females have two small black horns projecting outwards from the face
  • Males are generally smaller and have white hair on the face

Habitat

First recorded from Ireland in 2003. Known only from Belfast, Dublin and Cork cities. Likely to be a deliberate introduction

Flight period

April-June

Nesting biology

Cavity nesting

Flowers visited

Polylectic - Acer, Ilex, Carpinus, Echium, Symphtum, Brassica, Sinapis, Stellaria, Helianthemum, Hippocrepis, Onobrychis, Trifolium, Quercus, Lamium, Ajuga, Salvia, Papaver, Plantago, Ranunculus, Reseda, Prunus, Crataegus

Distribution

World distribution(GBIF)

All of Europe and North Africa, inlcuding Denmark, southern Sweden, England, the Iberian peninsula, Sardinia and Corsica

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