Osmia aglaia

Classification

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Osmia aglaia: /ˈɒz.mi.ə əˈɡlaɪ.ə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Osmia aglaia by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.
Osmia aglaia by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.
Osmia aglaia by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.
Osmia aglaia by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.
Osmia aglaia by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.
Osmia aglaia, f, back, Mariposa CA 2017-08-03-11.35 (36906013462) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.

Summary

Osmia aglaia, or the Oregon berry bee, is a native bee species that plays a crucial role in the pollination of bramble crops in the Western US.

Physical Characteristics

Metallic blue, green or rust/bronze in color.

Identification Tips

Look for small bees with a metallic sheen; nesting behavior involves tunneling in wood.

Habitat

Occurs in regions where brambles grow, specifically in wooded areas with suitable nesting substrates.

Distribution

Western United States, specifically California, Oregon, and Washington.

Diet

Primarily feeds on nectar and pollen from flowering plants, especially brambles.

Life Cycle

Active as adults in late spring, synchronized with the bloom of their host plants (Rubus).

Ecosystem Role

Important pollinator for bramble crops, enhancing fruit production.

Economic Impact

Used in agriculture, particularly in the pollination of raspberries and blackberries in Oregon.

Tags

  • Oregon berry bee
  • pollinator
  • Megachilidae
  • native bees
  • brambles
  • Western US