Mason bee

Species of the genus include the orchard mason bee Osmia lignaria, the blueberry bee O. ribifloris, and the hornfaced bee O. cornifrons. The former two are native to the Americas and the latter to eastern Asia, although O. lignaria and O. cornifrons have been moved from their native ranges for commercial purposes. The red mason bee, Osmia bicornis, is found across the European continent. Over 300 species are found across the Northern Hemisphere. Most occur in temperate habitats within the Palearctic and Neartic zones, and are active from spring through late summer. Osmia species are frequently metallic green or blue, though many are blackish and at least one rust-red. Most have black ventral scopae which are difficult to notice unless laden with pollen. They have arolia between their claws, unlike Megachile or Anthidium species. Historically, the term mason bee has also been used to refer to bees from a number of other genera under Megachilidae such as Chalicodoma, most notably in 'The Mason-Bees' by Jean-Henri Fabre and his translator Alexander Teixeira de Mattos in 1914. Unlike honey bees (Apis) or bumblebees, Osmia species are solitary; every female is fertile and makes her own nest, and no worker bees for these species exist.