# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Urban areas, gardens ![Osmia brevicornis](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Osmia_brevicornis%252Cf%252C_jaw%252C_kyrgystan_2014-08-08-10.33.33_ZS_PMax_%2814865267787%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Osmia_brevicornis%252Cf%252C_jaw%252C_kyrgystan_2014-08-08-10.33.33_ZS_PMax_%2814865267787%29.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Megachilidae - **Genus:** Osmia ## 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 - **Mason Home Builder:** Osmia brevicornis can construct sturdy nests in cavities because it uses mud, chewed plant matter, or resin. - **Furry Pollen Packer:** Osmia brevicornis has dense hairs on its underside that help them efficiently collect and transport pollen. - **Short-Tongue Feeder:** Osmia brevicornis can pollinate flowers with shallow nectaries because it has a relatively short tongue. - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/plum-tree) (*Prunus domestica*) — Helps plum trees produce fruit. - **Pollinates:** [Apple tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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 - [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 Be gentle and quiet around bees; they are usually not harmful if left alone. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Osmia brevicornis? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## 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: [Osmia brevicornis: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/osmia-brevicornis)