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European Orchard Bee

Osmia cornuta

The European Orchard Bee is a small, friendly bee that loves to visit flowers. They are great at helping plants grow by spreading pollen. These bees are often seen buzzing around gardens and orchards.

Habitat: Urban areas, gardens, orchards

Appearance

The European Orchard Bee has a robust, medium-sized body. It is mostly black with a fuzzy, reddish-brown abdomen, contrasted by sparse black hairs on its head and thorax. Males are smaller and possess a distinctive white hair tuft on their face.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyMegachilidaeGenusOsmia
European Orchard Bee
furry trait badgesolitary trait badgeherbivorous trait badgepollinator_magnet trait badge
European Orchard Bee

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Female orchard bees have two small 'horns' on their face, which they use to shape mud walls for their babies!

Male orchard bees hatch first, waiting around for the females to emerge, ready to start new families!

These bees are called 'mason bees' because they use mud and clay like tiny bricklayers to build their nests!

They carry pollen on their fuzzy bellies, not their legs, making them super-efficient at spreading it between flowers!

Special abilities

Ability

Super Pollinator

European Orchard Bee can efficiently pollinate many plants because it collects pollen on its belly, helping fruit trees produce more.

Ability

Clay Master Builder

European Orchard Bee can build strong nests because it uses mud and clay to create individual cell walls inside natural cavities.

Ability

Ready-Made Home Seeker

European Orchard Bee has a clever strategy to find homes because it uses existing tunnels like hollow stems or old beetle holes for nesting.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
20-30 mm
Size
10-15 mm
Lifespan
14-42 days
Flight Speed
5-15 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

These bees drink nectar for energy and gather pollen to feed their growing babies.

Primary Foods

  • Nectar (from various flowers)
  • Pollen (from various flowers)
  • Fruit tree pollen

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

pollinates

Apple Tree

Malus domestica

Helps produce delicious apples.

pollinates

Cherry Tree

Prunus avium

Essential for cherry fruit production.

parasitizes

Chalcid Wasp

Monodontomerus obsoletus

Lays eggs inside bee cocoons.

eaten by

Wolf Spider

Pardosa amentata

Preys on adult bees.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

These bees are friendly and won't sting unless they feel scared. Just watch them from a distance!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is European Orchard Bee's wingspan?

20-30 mm

How big is European Orchard Bee?

10-15 mm

How long does European Orchard Bee live?

14-42 days

How fast can European Orchard Bee fly?

5-15 km/h

What does European Orchard Bee eat?

These bees drink nectar for energy and gather pollen to feed their growing babies.

Where is European Orchard Bee usually found?

Urban areas, gardens, orchards

How does European Orchard Bee hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does European Orchard Bee have?

6

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