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Osmia brevicornis

Osmia brevicornis

The Osmia brevicornis is a small, friendly bee that helps flowers grow by spreading pollen. They are great at making nests in tiny holes and love to buzz around gardens in the spring.

Habitat: Urban areas, gardens

Appearance

The Osmia brevicornis is a small, stout-bodied bee, often appearing dark blue or black with a slight metallic sheen. It has dense, pale hairs on its underside for carrying pollen and a relatively short, broad abdomen.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyMegachilidaeGenusOsmia
Osmia brevicornis
furry trait badgesolitary trait badgeherbivorous trait badgepollinator_magnet trait badge
Osmia brevicornis

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Female Osmia brevicornis lay an egg in each nest cell with a ball of pollen.

These bees are excellent at reusing old holes for their cozy nests.

They are important pollinators for many wild plants and fruit trees.

Unlike honeybees, Osmia brevicornis does not produce honey for humans to eat.

Special abilities

Ability

Mason Home Builder

Osmia brevicornis can construct sturdy nests in cavities because it uses mud, chewed plant matter, or resin.

Ability

Furry Pollen Packer

Osmia brevicornis has dense hairs on its underside that help them efficiently collect and transport pollen.

Ability

Short-Tongue Feeder

Osmia brevicornis can pollinate flowers with shallow nectaries because it has a relatively short tongue.

Ability

Safe Cocoon Spinner

Osmia brevicornis can create a protective cocoon for its young that helps them safely develop over winter.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
10-15 mm
Size
7-10 mm
Lifespan
20-40 days
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

These busy bees feed on nectar for energy and collect pollen to feed their growing babies!

Age differences: Larvae consume stored pollen and nectar, while adults feed solely on nectar.

Primary Foods

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

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

pollinates

Plum tree

Prunus domestica

Helps plum trees produce fruit.

pollinates

Apple tree

Malus domestica

A crucial pollinator for delicious apple harvests.

pollinates

Raspberry plant

Rubus idaeus

Boosts raspberry plant fruit production.

eaten by

Great Tit

Parus major

Larvae and adults can be preyed upon by birds.

eaten by

Garden Orb Weaver

Araneus diadematus

Can get caught in spider webs as prey.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Be gentle and quiet around bees; they are usually not harmful if left alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Osmia brevicornis's wingspan?

10-15 mm

How big is Osmia brevicornis?

7-10 mm

How long does Osmia brevicornis live?

20-40 days

What does Osmia brevicornis eat?

These busy bees feed on nectar for energy and collect pollen to feed their growing babies!

Where is Osmia brevicornis usually found?

Urban areas, gardens

How does Osmia brevicornis hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Osmia brevicornis have?

6

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