# Mason Bees (*Osmia*) Mason bees are tiny, friendly insects that help flowers grow by spreading pollen. They are great builders and make their homes in small holes using mud and plant materials. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Gardens - **Also known as:** Blue Mason Bee, Mason Bee, Osmia, Solitary Bee ![Mason Bees](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426419/objects/3786.jpg) ## Appearance The Mason Bee has a stocky, often metallic blue, green, or black body covered in dense, fuzzy hairs. They are smaller than bumblebees but larger than many sweat bees, with a distinct, often iridescent sheen that sets them apart from the more common yellow and black striped bees. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Megachilidae - **Genus:** Osmia ## Interesting facts - Each baby mason bee gets its own tiny, sealed mud room inside the nest! - Male mason bees hatch first, patiently waiting outside for the females to emerge. - Mason bees are 'super-stackers,' laying up to 8 eggs in a single tunnel! - Unlike honeybees, mason bees don't produce any honey for humans to enjoy. ## Special abilities - **Super Pollinator:** Mason Bees are super efficient pollinators because they carry pollen dry on their bellies, which easily rubs off onto flowers. - **Mud Nest Architect:** Mason Bees can build sturdy nests using mud and natural materials that protect their developing young from predators. - **Gentle Nature:** Mason Bees have a docile temperament, making them rarely sting even when handled, which helps them coexist peacefully with humans. - **Early Emergence:** Mason Bees can emerge from their cocoons in sync with early spring blooms, ensuring they are ready to pollinate. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 15-25 mm - **Size:** 8-15 mm - **Lifespan:** 28-42 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Mason bees are vegetarians, feeding on nectar for energy and pollen for protein to grow. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Pollen, Fruit tree blossoms, Berry flowers, Wildflower pollen - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** [Apple tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/apple-tree) (*Malus domestica*) — Helps apple trees produce delicious fruit. - **Parasitizes:** Chalcid wasp (*Monodontomerus obsoletus*) — A tiny wasp that lays its eggs inside the bee's developing young. - **Eaten by:** [Downy Woodpecker](https://www.snappit.app/explore/downy-woodpecker) (*Picoides pubescens*) — Feeds on mason bee larvae from their nest tunnels. ## 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. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [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 Mason bees are friendly and won't sting, but it's always best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Mason Bees? 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 Mason Bees's wingspan? 15-25 mm ### How big is Mason Bees? 8-15 mm ### How long does Mason Bees live? 28-42 days ### How fast can Mason Bees fly? 15 km/h ### What does Mason Bees eat? Mason bees are vegetarians, feeding on nectar for energy and pollen for protein to grow. ### Where is Mason Bees usually found? Gardens ### How does Mason Bees hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Carrleigh Parkway Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/carrleigh-parkway-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Langford Lake Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/langford-lake-park) — British Columbia, CA · Park - [John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/john-d-rockefeller-jr-memorial-parkway) — Wyoming, US · Park [View all places to see Mason Bees](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/mason-bees) ## Watch - [Play video: Mason Bees](https://www.snappit.app/videos/mason-bees) - [YouTube](https://youtube.com/watch?v=MgLzeoq89xo) ## 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: [Mason Bees: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mason-bees)