Head to head
Red Mason Bee vs Blue Orchard Bee
Red Mason Bee
VS Blue Orchard Bee
The red mason bee and blue orchard bee are two solitary bees in the genus Osmia, early-spring pollinators of fruit trees on either side of the Atlantic.
| Red Mason Bee | Blue Orchard Bee | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Osmia bicornis | Osmia lignaria |
| Relationship | A close relative of the blue orchard bee, in the same genus | A close relative of the red mason bee, in the same genus |
| Nest | Holes in walls, hollow stems, and bee hotels, divided into cells with walls of mud | Existing hollow stems, reeds, or pre-drilled holes rather than burrows it digs itself |
| Pollen carrying | Carries pollen loosely on a brush of hairs under its abdomen | Not specifically documented |
| Pollination | A very effective pollinator of apple, pear, and other fruit blossom | A few hundred can do the pollination work of tens of thousands of honeybees in an orchard |
| Season | On the wing from March to June, with males emerging first | Active early in spring, timed to the blooming of fruit trees such as almonds, cherries, and apples |
| Range | Europe, North Africa, and western Asia | Forest and grassland across much of North America |
| Conservation status | Least Concern, with a stable population | Least Concern, with a stable population |
Red Mason Bee vs Blue Orchard Bee: common questions
Are mason bees solitary?
Yes, both the red mason bee and the blue orchard bee are solitary, with each female building and provisioning her own nest.
Which bee has a metallic blue sheen?
The blue orchard bee, which has a metallic blue-green sheen across its body.
Where do the red mason bee and blue orchard bee live?
The red mason bee lives in Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, while the blue orchard bee lives across much of North America.