Osmia bicornis
Red Mason Bee
Osmia bicornis, Red Mason Bee, is a large solitary bee. During early summer it is particularly found around buildings and takes readily to bee hotels. Lime mortar walls also provide suitable nesting sites. Females are recognisable from their horn shaped projections from the face and the presence of a large pollen brush under the abdomen. Males have a white tuft of hairs on the face.
Photograph detail
Slide 1: Osmia bicornis, Red Mason Bee. Female on a cultivated Geranium. Garden in Redmire. June.
Slide 2: Osmia bicornis, Red Mason Bee in flight approaching a nest box. House in Redmire. May.
Slide 3: Osmia bicornis, Red Mason Bee. Female on a cultivated Geranium. Garden in Redmire. June.
Slide 4: Osmia bicornis, Red Mason Bee. Male at a nest box. House in Redmire. May.
Slide 5: Osmia bicornis, Red Mason Bee. Female on a cultivated Geranium. Female, showing pollen brush under abdomen. Garden in Redmire. June.
Slide 6: Osmia bicornis, Red Mason Bee. Female on a cultivated Geranium. Female, showing pollen brush under abdomen. Garden in Redmire. June.
Slide 7: Osmia bicornis, Red Mason Bee nest cells. Artificial nesting box showing a cross section of the cells, packed with pollen. Garden in Redmire. June.