Male, Red Mason bee (Osmia bicornis) on a male human hand
The common Red Mason Bee nests in hollow plant stems, in holes in cliffs, and in the crumbling mortar of old buildings. It is a solitary bee so, after mating, each female builds its own nest, lining each 'cell' with mud and pollen and lays a single egg in each until the cavity is full. The larvae hatch and develop, pupating in autumn and hibernating over winter. The Red Mason Bee is on the wing from late March, and feeds solely on pollen and nectar.
Size: 5184px × 3455px
Photo credit: © Kathryn Truepenny / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: adult, bee, bees, bicornis, european, feeding, flying, garden, insect, insects, male, mason, masonry, nectar, nectar-feeding, nectaring, osmia, pollen, pollinate, pollinators, red, solitary, winged, wings
