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Blue Orchard Bee

Osmia lignaria

The Blue Orchard Bee is a small, friendly bee that loves to visit flowers. They help plants grow by spreading pollen, making them super important for our gardens and farms!

Habitat: Urban areas, Gardens

Appearance

The Blue Orchard Bee has a metallic, iridescent blue-black body covered in pale hairs. Its shiny, slightly plump appearance and small size make it easily distinguishable from common honeybees, which are typically golden-brown.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyMegachilidaeGenusOsmia
Blue Orchard Bee
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Blue Orchard Bee

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Each female builds her own nursery of mud or hollow stems for her babies.

Female Blue Orchard Bees carry pollen dry under their belly, not in leg baskets!

Males emerge from their nests first, often waiting for the females to hatch out!

They don't make honey, but they are champion pollinators for spring fruits!

Special abilities

Ability

Super Pollinator

Blue Orchard Bees can pollinate many fruit trees and flowers very efficiently because they carry pollen dry, helping more plants grow.

Ability

Mud Mason

The female Blue Orchard Bee can build tough, protective nest cells using mud and plant materials that shelter her young.

Ability

Chilly Worker

Blue Orchard Bees have a strong body that allows them to forage for pollen and nectar even in cooler spring temperatures.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
15-20 mm
Size
8-12 mm
Lifespan
20-40 days
Flight Speed
15 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Blue Orchard Bees drink nectar for energy and gather pollen to feed their developing young.

Primary Foods

  • Nectar
  • Pollen
  • Apple blossom pollen
  • Blueberry blossom nectar
  • Cherry blossom pollen

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Bees are usually friendly, but it's best to watch them from a distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Blue Orchard Bee's wingspan?

15-20 mm

How big is Blue Orchard Bee?

8-12 mm

How long does Blue Orchard Bee live?

20-40 days

How fast can Blue Orchard Bee fly?

15 km/h

What does Blue Orchard Bee eat?

Blue Orchard Bees drink nectar for energy and gather pollen to feed their developing young.

Where is Blue Orchard Bee usually found?

Urban areas, Gardens

How does Blue Orchard Bee hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Blue Orchard Bee have?

6

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