Commercial-bee-trade

Guides

• Osmia taurus

  Taurus Mason Bee

  Osmia taurus is a mason bee native to eastern Asia that was accidentally introduced to North America, first recorded in Maryland and West Virginia in 2002. The species has undergone rapid population expansion across the eastern United States, with established populations now confirmed in Canada (Ontario and Quebec). Its spread has been linked to commercial shipments of the intentionally introduced pollinator Osmia cornifrons, with which it is frequently confused. Population growth of O. taurus in the Mid-Atlantic region reached 800% over 15 years, coinciding with documented declines of 76–91% in six native mason bee species.

  mason-beesolitary-beenon-native-speciesinvasive-potentialpollinatorcavity-nesting-beeAsia-nativeNorth-America-introducedcompetition-with-native-beescommercial-bee-tradepathogen-vectormonandryrapid-population-growthbee-hotel-inhabitantcryptic-species-pair-with-O.-cornifrons