Hornfaced Bee
Osmia cornifrons
This record describes Osmia cornifrons (species). Recorded family: Megachilidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
They are used in Japan to pollinate apple trees and were deliberately introduced to the United States by USDA scientists in the 1970s for the same purpose, even though the very similar native species Osmia lignaria occurs here and can be managed in a similar way. Osmia cornifrons is now widely established and numerous in the Eastern United States. More information including creating Propagation blocks and Updated Recommendations for Growers with Osmia cornifrons. This is not a native pollinator.
Wikipedia reference for Osmia cornifrons: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osmia_cornifrons.
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
Native to East Asia. Deliberately introduced to eastern North America by USDA scientists where now widely distributed. Discover Life Global Map
Seasonal Activity
mostly: Mar-May (BG data)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Osmia cornifrons. 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 Hornfaced Bee (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ted Kropiewnicki; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Mike Quinn , John S. Ascher , hg , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Hornfaced Bee
What is Hornfaced Bee?
Hornfaced Bee (Osmia cornifrons) is a species in the family Megachilidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
Where is Hornfaced Bee found?
Range: Native to East Asia. Deliberately introduced to eastern North America by USDA scientists where now widely distributed. Discover Life Global Map
What does Hornfaced Bee eat?
The diet of the Hornfaced Bee includes The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Hornfaced Bee active?
Hornfaced Bee: seasonal activity - mostly: Mar-May (BG data).