| Osmia aurulenta | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Osmia aurulenta Norway | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Clade: | Anthophila |
| Family: | Megachilidae |
| Genus: | Osmia |
| Species: | O. aurulenta |
| Binomial name | |
| Osmia aurulenta (Panzer, 1799) | |
Osmia aurulenta is a Palearctic species of mason bee. [1] [2]
8-10 mm. Males in the field cannot be distinguished from similar Osmia species, especially when they are older. Females in a fresh state may be confused with the slimmer Osmia rufohirta due to the bright rust-red hairs of the thorax, the rust-red narrow tergite bandages and the rust-red belly brush. Females that are old are similar to Osmia tridentata . [3]
From Portugal through Europe and Asia Minor to the Caucasus; north to Ireland and southern Scotland, to 59.5° N in Norway, 58° N in Sweden, in Russia to Udmurtia; south to Sicily, Greece and Lebanon. [4]
On calcareous subsoil. Inland dunes, rocky slopes,extensively grazed or fallow sheep pastures (juniper heaths), old fallow vineyards, structurally rich forest edges, abandoned quarries, in the limestone low mountain ranges also stony and sparsely overgrown road embankments, there occasionally also in the settlement area. [3] From the lowlands to the montane, in southern Switzerland to the subalpine altitude. [4]
The flight period ranges in a generation from March to July, beginning of March to the beginning of September in Switzerland. [4]
Polylectic with preference for Fabaceae. So far, the use of the pollen of the six plant families Asteraceae, Boraginaceae, Cistaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae and Plantaginaceae has been proven. [4]
Nests in empty, medium-sized to large snail shells, preferred are those of Helix pomatia . In the medium-sized houses there are only 1–4 cells lying one behind the other, in snail shells the cells are next to each other in the front area. The dividing walls of the cells and the nest closure are made from chewed pieces of Fragaria , Helianthemum and others. The outer wall of the snail shell is covered with plant mortar like a camouflage net. After completion of the nest closure, the snail shell – in contrast to Osmia bicolor , for example – is no longer moved. [4]
Parasites: Cuckoo bee is Stelis punctulatissima . The wasps Sapyga quinquepunctata , Chrysura trimaculata , Chrysura cuprea , Chrysis hirsuta and Chrysura dichroa and wasps of the genus Pteromalus are known as parasites.
From Latin "aurum" = "gold"; because of the red and gold hair. [4]
Subgenus Helicosmia THOMSON, 1872 [4]
Synonym: Osmia tunensis aurulenta (PANZER, 1799). [4]
Megachilidae is a cosmopolitan family of mostly solitary bees. Both that their pollen-carrying structure is restricted to the ventral surface of the abdomen, and their typically elongated labrum is characteristic of this family. Megachilid genera are most commonly known as mason bees and leafcutter bees, reflecting the materials from which they build their nest cells ; a few collect plant or animal hairs and fibers, and are called carder bees, while others use plant resins in nest construction and are correspondingly called resin bees. All species feed on nectar and pollen, but a few are kleptoparasites, feeding on pollen collected by other megachilid bees. Parasitic species do not possess scopae. The motion of Megachilidae in the reproductive structures of flowers is energetic and swimming-like; this agitation releases large amounts of pollen.
Mason bee is a name now commonly used for species of bees in the genus Osmia, of the family Megachilidae. Mason bees are named for their habit of using mud or other "masonry" products in constructing their nests, which are made in naturally occurring gaps such as between cracks in stones or other small dark cavities. When available, some species preferentially use hollow stems or holes in wood made by wood-boring insects.
Osmia lignaria, commonly known as the orchard mason bee or blue orchard bee, is a megachilid bee that makes nests in reeds and natural holes, creating individual cells for its brood that are separated by mud dividers. Unlike carpenter bees, it cannot drill holes in wood. O. lignaria is a common species used for early spring fruit bloom in Canada and the United States, though a number of other Osmia species are cultured for use in pollination.
Osmia bicornis is a species of mason bee, and is known as the red mason bee due to its covering of dense gingery hair. It is a solitary bee that nests in holes or stems and is polylectic, meaning it forages pollen from various different flowering plants. These bees can be seen aggregating together and nests in preexisting hollows, choosing not to excavate their own. These bees are not aggressive; they will only sting if handled very roughly and are safe to be closely observed by children. Females only mate once, usually with closely related males. Further, females can determine the sex ratio of their offspring based on their body size, where larger females will invest more in diploid females eggs than small bees. These bees also have trichromatic colour vision and are important pollinators in agriculture.
Osmia cornuta, the European orchard bee, is a species of bee in the genus Osmia.
Osmia bicolor, the two-coloured mason-bee, is a Palearctic species of bee in the genus Osmia. It is outstanding amongst other megachilid bees in that it nests in empty snail shells.
Anthidium oblongatum, the oblong woolcarder bee, is a species of bee in the family Megachilidae, the leaf-cutter, carder, or mason bees.
Coelioxys, common name leaf-cutting cuckoo bees or sharp-tailed bees , is a genus of solitary kleptoparasitic or brood parasitic bees, belonging to the family Megachilidae.
Osmia xanthomelana, the large mason bee, is a species of mason bee in the genus Osmia. It has a wide distribution in the Palearctic but it is rare wherever it occurs and, for example, in Great Britain it has a highly restricted distribution, although in the past it was a little more widespread there.
Osmia uncinata, the pinewood mason bee, is a species of solitary bee from the family Megachilidae It is an Arctic-alpine species which is found in the northern Palearctic, in the United Kingdom it is a Biodiversity Action Plan priority species.
Osmia caerulescens, the blue mason bee, is a species of solitary bee from the family Megachilidae. It has a Holarctic distribution extending into the Indomalayan region, although its presence in the Nearctic may be due to human assisted introduction.
Osmia inermis, the mountain mason bee , is a species of mason bee from the family Megachilidae which has a Holarctic distribution.
The Clark's miner bee is a species of miner bee in the family Andrenidae. Other common names include Clark's andrena and Clarke's mining bee. It is found in Europe and Northern Asia and North America.
Chrysura simplex is a species of cuckoo wasps, insects in the family Chrysididae.
Tetralonia malvae, also known as the Mallow longhorn, is a species of insect belonging to the family Apidae. The bee takes pollen from oligolectic sources on the mallow family (Malvaceae).
Osmia spinulosa, also known as the spined mason bee, is a species of bees within the genus Osmia.
Tetraloniella dentata is a species of bees within the genus Tetraloniella.
Osmia parietina, also known as the Western mason bee or wall mason bee, is a species of solitary bee within the family Megachilidae.
Chrysura hirsuta, also known as the Northern Osmia ruby-tailed wasp, is a species of parasitic cuckoo wasp within the family Chrysididae.
Osmia nigriventris, also known as the large black-bellied mason bee, is a species of solitary bee within the family Megachilidae.