Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Osmia cornifrons (Radoszkowski)
Orig. Comb: Chalicodoma cornifrons Radoszkowski 1887
Range
Native to East Asia. Deliberately introduced to eastern North America by USDA scientists where now widely distributed.
Season
mostly: Mar-May (BG data)
Food
The Hosts section on its
Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images.
Remarks
They are used in Japan to pollinate apple trees and were deliberately introduced to the United States by USDA scientists in the 1970s for the same purpose, even though the very similar native species Osmia lignaria occurs here and can be managed in a similar way.
Osmia cornifrons is now widely established and numerous in the Eastern United States.
More
information including creating Propagation blocks and Updated Recommendations for Growers with Osmia cornifrons.
This is not a native pollinator.
Internet References
Psyche, a Journal of Entomology. Nesting Activity and Behavior of
Osmia cornifrons (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) Elucidated Using Videography