Texas Mason Bee
Osmia texana
This record describes Osmia texana (species). Recorded family: Megachilidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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
Primarily western, ranging from British Columbia and California to North Dakota and Texas. Collections have also been made in the East, with positive records in Michigan, New York and Florida. (Mitchell, 1962) Discover Life Map
Seasonal Activity
May to August, but as early as March in Florida
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Cirsium among several others. 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 texana. 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 Texas Mason Bee (4)
Photo credits: Contributed by John S. Ascher; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , hg , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Mason Bee
How big is Texas Mason Bee?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | 12 mm. |
| Male | 9 mm. |
Where is Texas Mason Bee found?
Range: Primarily western, ranging from British Columbia and California to North Dakota and Texas. Collections have also been made in the East, with positive records in Michigan, New York and Florida. (Mitchell, 1962) Discover Life Map
What does Texas Mason Bee eat?
The diet of the Texas Mason Bee includes Cirsium among several others. The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Texas Mason Bee active?
Texas Mason Bee: seasonal activity - May to August, but as early as March in Florida.