| Osmia nigriventris | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Megachilidae |
| Genus: | Osmia |
| Species: | O. nigriventris |
| Binomial name | |
| Osmia nigriventris (Zetterstedt, 1838) | |
| Synonyms [2] | |
| |
Osmia nigriventris, also known as the large black-bellied mason bee, is a species of solitary bee within the family Megachilidae.
The exoskeleton of Osmia nigriventris is entirely black with no metallic reflections. The bees body length can range from 10 - 14 mm long. [3] Females possess a strongly thickened clypeal margin [4] and lightly infuscated wings. [5] Males however possess reflexed apicolateral angles of the 5th and 6th tergal segments [4] and subhyaline wings. [5] Both male and female bees have whitish-pale pubescence over the head, thorax and clypeus. [6]
Females of Osmia nigriventris will use their specialized mandibles to excavate nests in wooden substrate such as the thick tree bark of Larix or Pinus species. Suitable nest sites can include either tree bark that is lying on the ground or attached to the remains of standing deadwood, tree stumps and coarse woody debris. [3] Nests will contain from 1 - 26 brood cells, which are constructed within one or several tunnels built by the females. Brood cells are linearly arranged and separated from one another by three-layered partitions made from leaf pulp. The leaf pulp is created from chewed up leaves from genus such as Potentilla and Helianthemum . Pollen provisions are stored in brood cells to provide the offspring with a food source during development. [3]
Depending on the altitude of the nest, adult bees can emerge from the beginning of May to the first decade of June. [3] It is believed that O. nigriventris requires two years to reach maturity in subalpine zones and that the species overwinters as a prepupa during its first winter. [3]
Osmia nigriventris has a large distribution and is known to live in both the Neartic and Paleartic zones. It can be found living in North America, where it is present in the states of Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Michigan [5] and Minnesota. [7] The species is also present in Canada where it can be found in the territories of Yukon, Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland. In Europe populations are present in Austria, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Switzerland and European Russia. [8] [5] In Asia the bees range extends through Mongolia, Northern China and Russia to far eastern Siberia. [5]
Osmia nigriventris can be found living in open forest, forest edges and meadow habitats in subalpine locations. [3] Females will build their nests in wooden substrate such as the bark of Larix or Pinus trees. Nest sites can include ground resting tree bark or bark attached to the remains of standing deadwood, tree stumps and coarse woody debris. [3] The bee has a preference for flowers from the families Fabaceae (Lotus), Ericaceae ( Rhododendron and Vaccinium ) and Cistaceae (Helianthemum). [3] Populations have been recorded up to 2250 meters above sea level. [3]
The following species are known to be brood parasites of Osmia nigriventris: [3] [9]
Megachilidae is a cosmopolitan family of mostly solitary bees. Characteristic traits of this family are the restriction of their pollen-carrying structure to the ventral surface of the abdomen, and their typically elongated labrum. 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 natural holes and reeds, 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 the United States and Canada, though a number of other Osmia species are cultured for use in pollination.
Osmia cornifrons, also known as the horned-face bee, is a species of solitary bee indigenous to Northern Asia. Physically, this species of bee is recognized for its horn-like extensions originating from its lower face. Populations of O. cornifrons have been recorded in multiple locations, including Japan, Korea, China, and Russia. O. cornifrons are more docile as compared to other species of bees and are less prone to sting when aggravated.
Megachile sculpturalis, known as the giant resin bee and sculptured resin bee, is a species of leafcutting bees belonging to the family Megachilidae.
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 manicatum, commonly called the European wool carder bee, is a species of bee in the family Megachilidae, the leaf-cutter bees or mason bees.
Eulaema meriana is a large-bodied bee species in the tribe Euglossini, otherwise known as the orchid bees. The species is a solitary bee and is native to tropical Central and South America. The male collects fragrances from orchid flowers, which it stores in hollows in its hind legs. Orchids can be deceptive by mimicking the form of a female and her sex pheromone, thus luring male bees or wasps. Pollination will take place as the males attempt to mate with the labellum, or the tip petal of the flower. Male E. meriana are territorial and have a particular perch on a tree trunk where it displays to attract a female. After mating, the female builds a nest with urn-shaped cells made with mud, feces, and plant resin, and provisions these with nectar and pollen before laying an egg in each. These bees also have complex foraging and wing buzzing behaviors and are part of a mimicry complex.
Megachile angelarum is a species of bee in the Megachilidae family.
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 inermis, the mountain mason bee , is a species of mason bee from the family Megachilidae which has a Holarctic distribution.
Chaetodactylus is a genus of parasitic mite primarily associated with solitary bees with over 20 species.
Osmia aurulenta is a Palearctic species of mason bee.
Osmia spinulosa, also known as the spined mason bee, is a species of bees within the genus Osmia.
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 lanei is a species of bee belonging to the genus Osmia and the family Megachilidae. They are native to northern California. Like all mason bees, it is solitary and does not work in massive hives. The species was first described in 1939 by Grace A. Sandhouse.
Hoplitis tuberculata, also known as the Lundwood bee, is a species of solitary bee belonging to the family Megachilidae. Hoplitis tuberculata exhibits a disjunct distribution range, with its habitat spanning the subalpine zones of the Alps and extending to boreal regions in Europe and Asia. The species primarily nests in insect borings in dead wood and utilizes various materials for constructing its brood cells.
