# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Urban areas, gardens, orchards ![European Orchard Bee](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Osmia_cornuta_copulation.jpg&width=800) Photo: pjt56 -- If you use the picture outside Wikipedia I'd appreciate a short e-mail to pjt56@gmx.net, CC BY 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Osmia_cornuta_copulation.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Megachilidae - **Genus:** Osmia ## 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 - **Super Pollinator:** European Orchard Bee can efficiently pollinate many plants because it collects pollen on its belly, helping fruit trees produce more. - **Clay Master Builder:** European Orchard Bee can build strong nests because it uses mud and clay to create individual cell walls inside natural cavities. - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/apple-tree) (*Malus domestica*) — Helps produce delicious apples. - **Pollinates:** [Cherry Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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 - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## 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 ### How to identify European Orchard Bee? Compare the antennae, wings, waist, body hair and legs. Yellow and black stripes show up on bees, wasps and harmless mimics alike. Bee & Wasp Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [European Orchard Bee: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-orchard-bee)