Red mason bee - Osmia bicornis ♀

Osmia bicornis, one of the best known wild bee species, is widespread in Europe and North Africa. It is adapted to many habitats, occurs frequently in gardens and and is one of the most busy colonizers of nesting aids. Hardly any other wild bee species pollinates so many plants as the red mason bee.

The approx.10 mm long females bear two clearly protruding horns on the head (name: bicornis - two-horned), by mean of which pollen is harvested from certain flowers. The “brush” on the belly is used to collect pollen. As long as it is not filled with pollen, it has an orange-red colour.