Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Osmia purpurascens
Size
Female, 14 mm. Male, 11 mm.
Identification
Metallic blue, almost black.
Range
British Columbia to Quebec and the New England states, south to California, Oklahoma and Georgia.
Native to the western US.
Habitat
They occur in woodlands and forest edges.
Food
They visit flowers of cherry, pear and apple and also many others such as quince, laburnum spp and blueberry.
Life Cycle
O. lignaria are univoltine and winter in the adult stage. Adults are active in the spring, when they build and provision nests. The eggs complete development to fifth instars by early summer; then they spin cocoons and enter a dormant stage. Pupation occurs by late summer, and adult eclosion occurs a month later. Adults hibernate in their cocoons, and emerge in the spring.
Remarks
It is being managed and developed for use as fruit trees pollinator.
Management of O. lignaria.
Field use of an incubation box
The beetle
Lecontella brunnea (Spinola) was reared from the nest of
Osmia lignaria - blue orchard bee.
Internet References
Wings in Flight. a commercial site with good information on bee housing.
