Blue Orchard Bee
Osmia lignaria
This record describes Osmia lignaria (species). Recorded family: Megachilidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Metallic blue, almost black. It is being managed and developed for use as fruit trees pollinator. Management of O. lignaria . Field use of an incubation box The clerid Lecontella brunnea (Spinola) was reared from the nest of Osmia lignaria
Identification notes
Metallic blue, almost black.
Wikipedia reference for Osmia lignaria: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osmia_lignaria.
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
Habitat
They occur in woodlands and forest edges.
Geographic Range
British Columbia to Quebec and the New England states, south to California, Oklahoma and Georgia. Native to the western US. Discover Life Map
Seasonal Activity
mostly Mar-May (BG data)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: They visit flowers of cherry, pear and apple and also many others such as quince, laburnum spp and blueberry. The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images.
Life History
O. lignaria are univoltine and winter in the adult stage. Adults are active in the spring, when they build and provision nests. The eggs complete development to fifth instars by early summer; then they spin cocoons and enter a dormant stage. Pupation occurs by late summer, and adult eclosion occurs a month later. Adults hibernate in their cocoons, and emerge in the spring.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Osmia lignaria Say 1837
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Osmia lignaria. 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 Blue Orchard Bee (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Will Chatfield-Taylor; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Mike Quinn , hg
Frequently Asked Questions About Blue Orchard Bee
What is Blue Orchard Bee?
Blue Orchard Bee (Osmia lignaria) is a species in the family Megachilidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Blue Orchard Bee?
Female, 10-11 mm. Male, 9-10 mm.
How do you identify Blue Orchard Bee?
Metallic blue, almost black.
Where is Blue Orchard Bee found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | They occur in woodlands and forest edges. |
| Range | British Columbia to Quebec and the New England states, south to California, Oklahoma and Georgia. Native to the western US. Discover Life Map |
What does Blue Orchard Bee eat?
The diet of the Blue Orchard Bee includes They visit flowers of cherry, pear and apple and also many others such as quince, laburnum spp and blueberry. The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Blue Orchard Bee active?
Blue Orchard Bee: seasonal activity - mostly Mar-May (BG data).
What is the life cycle of a Blue Orchard Bee?
O. lignaria are univoltine and winter in the adult stage. Adults are active in the spring, when they build and provision nests. The eggs complete development to fifth instars by early summer; then they spin cocoons and enter a dormant stage. Pupation occurs by late summer, and adult eclosion occurs a month later. Adults hibernate in their cocoons, and emerge in the spring.