Osmia botitena
This record describes Osmia botitena (species). Recorded family: Megachilidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
...appears to be what I've been calling O. botitena , a somewhat problematic species since the type is AWOL. Det. John L. Neff, 2015 Central Texas Melittological Institute
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Megachilidae (Leafcutter, Mason, and Resin Bees, and allies)
- Subfamily
- Megachilinae
- Tribe
- Osmiini
- Genus
- Osmia (Mason Bees)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
c. TX to ne. Mex. - Discover Life
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Osmia botitena Cockerell, 1909
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Osmia botitena. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Osmia botitena (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Osmia botitena
What is Osmia botitena?
Osmia botitena is a species in the family Megachilidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Osmia botitena?
7 mm (male) (BG Data)
How do you identify Osmia botitena?
...appears to be what I've been calling O. botitena , a somewhat problematic species since the type is AWOL. Det. John L. Neff, 2015 Central Texas Melittological Institute
Where is Osmia botitena found?
Range: c. TX to ne. Mex. - Discover Life