description Osmia tersula Overview
Osmia tersula is a solitary mason bee in the family Megachilidae and is native to North America. It is also called the wide-banded mason bee or neat mason bee in North American bee references; its recorded type locality is Hudson's Bay, although that historical locality may cover a broad area. Females use chewed leaf material to partition brood cells in cavity nests, a feature useful for identifying its nesting biology.
help Osmia tersula FAQ
What is Osmia tersula?
Osmia tersula is a solitary mason bee in the family Megachilidae. It is native to North America and is also called the wide-banded mason bee or neat mason bee.
Where does Osmia tersula live?
The species is associated with North American habitats, including areas containing suitable nesting materials and flowering plants. Historical references record Hudson's Bay as its type locality.
Is Osmia tersula a social honeybee?
No. Osmia tersula is a solitary bee, so females generally make and provision their own nests instead of living in a large honeybee-style colony.
Why is Osmia tersula called a mason bee?
Mason bees receive that common name because many species use mud or similar material when constructing or partitioning nests. Osmia tersula belongs to the mason-bee genus Osmia.
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