Species: Red Mason Bee (Osmia bicornis)
Family: Mason bees (MEGACHILIDAE)
Category: Insects (Other)
Location: SW
A. Insects (Other)
More extensive information on insects can be found in a separate blog post.
B. Mason bees (MEGACHILIDAE)
Mason bees (also known as leafcutter bees) are mostly solitary bees. Several collect plant or animal hairs to assist in nest construction, whereas other collect plant resin for this purpose. All feed on pollen and nectar, although some of these feed on pollen collected by other bees (and so are called 'cuckoo bees').
C. Red Mason Bee (Osmia bicornis)
The Red Mason Bee emerges from its nest in early March if the weather is mild, males exiting before the females. These pollen feeders (photographed here on a bramble flower in June) are solitary bees, the females making them on their own. They search for pre-existing nest cavities (in plant stems, bricks or fence posts), lining them with mud.
These bees are virtually ubiquitous in lowland Britain, and common in park and gardens.
They favour fruit blossom (such as raspberry, plum, pear, apple and bramble).
Images
Red Mason Bee (Osmia bicornis)
The Red Mason Bee searches for pre-existing nest cavities (in plant stems, bricks or fence posts), lining them with mud.
Red Mason Bee (Osmia bicornis)
They favour fruit blossom (such as raspberry, plum, pear, apple and bramble).
Red Mason Bee (Osmia bicornis)
These bees are virtually ubiquitous in lowland Britain, and common in park and gardens.
