Bufflehead Mason Bee
Osmia bucephala
This record describes Osmia bucephala (species). Recorded family: Megachilidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Bombus -like color pattern of female. Modified legs of male.
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
British Columbia and the Yukon to the New England states, south to Georgia. Discover Life Map
Seasonal Activity
April to July.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author: Cresson, 1864.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Osmia bucephala. 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 Bufflehead Mason Bee (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Beatriz Moisset; Additional contributions by John S. Ascher , hg
Frequently Asked Questions About Bufflehead Mason Bee
What is Bufflehead Mason Bee?
Bufflehead Mason Bee (Osmia bucephala) is a species in the family Megachilidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Bufflehead Mason Bee?
Female 15-16mm, male 13-14mm
How do you identify Bufflehead Mason Bee?
Bombus -like color pattern of female. Modified legs of male.
Where is Bufflehead Mason Bee found?
Range: British Columbia and the Yukon to the New England states, south to Georgia. Discover Life Map
What does Bufflehead Mason Bee eat?
The diet of the Bufflehead Mason Bee includes The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Bufflehead Mason Bee active?
Bufflehead Mason Bee: seasonal activity - April to July..