Osmia cornuta
This record describes Osmia cornuta (species). Recorded family: Megachilidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Dark thorax with dark hairs and bright orange-red abdomen (more strongly contrasting than Osmia bicornis). Long inwardly-curved facial horns on the head below the antennae (longer than in Osmia bicornis). Males have a large patch of long white hairs on the face. Detailed photos show key identification features required. In a variety of habitats including urban places, and really loves bee hotels. This species can be an important pollinator of fruit trees. Adults fly from March to late May, with males appearing before females. Generally flies earlier than Osmia bicornis. First recorded in London in 2014, now expanding its range. https://www.flickr.com/photos/63075200@N07/albums/72157691453175962/ No additional images available for this species.
Wikipedia reference for Osmia cornuta: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osmia_cornuta.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera
- Family
- Megachilidae
- Genus
- Osmia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
In a variety of habitats including urban places, and really loves bee hotels. This species can be an important pollinator of fruit trees.
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly from March to late May, with males appearing before females. Generally flies earlier than Osmia bicornis.
Additional species information
Recorded status
First recorded in London in 2014, now expanding its range.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Osmia cornuta. 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 cornuta (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Osmia cornuta
What is Osmia cornuta?
Osmia cornuta is a species in the family Megachilidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
Where is Osmia cornuta found?
Habitat: In a variety of habitats including urban places, and really loves bee hotels. This species can be an important pollinator of fruit trees.
When is Osmia cornuta active?
Osmia cornuta: seasonal activity - Adults fly from March to late May, with males appearing before females. Generally flies earlier than Osmia bicornis..