Meet the The Orchard Mason Bee

Pollinators need our help! The Orchard Mason Bee (Osmia lignaria) is an insect that is very helpful to the environment as a pollinator, moving pollen from plant to plant as it collects for its young. Orchard mason bees are smaller than a honey bee and have a blue-green tint. They are important pollinators in the early spring as they feed on pollen and nectar from spring flowers. And like their name suggests, the orchard mason bee pollinates fruit orchards, which are quite prominent in Western Maryland. These solitary bees live in natural holes in wood as well as man-made bee hotels. They use mud to create different sections where they can store pollen and nectar. Unlike honey bees, the orchard mason bee stores pollen on its stomach while in flight. Orchard bees travel to close-by flowers instead of traveling long distances. Female mason bees only live for around a month and males even less. Interestingly, every female orchard bee is a queen. The biggest risk to the orchard mason bee’s survival is the decrease in available habitats and food source for the bees, and this is a result of global warming and human interference. To help the mason bees in your own yard, try planting native flowers and shrubs or fruit trees if you have the space. To learn more about the Orchard Mason Bee, visit: https://www.chesapeakebay.net/discover/field-guide/entry/mason-bee

This Wildlife Wednesday provided by Zander Hine, ACWA Student Board member