Managed-bee
Guides
Apis mellifera ligustica
Italian honey bee, Ligurian honey bee
Apis mellifera ligustica, the Italian honey bee, is a subspecies of the western honey bee native to the Italian Peninsula. It was introduced to the United States in 1859 and has become the most common subspecies used in American commercial beekeeping. The subspecies is characterized by its yellow coloration, gentle temperament, and strong brood rearing capacity. It is widely utilized for honey production and crop pollination, though it shows less resistance to Varroa mites compared to some other honey bee stocks.
Osmia cornifrons
Horn-faced Mason Bee, Horned-face Bee
Osmia cornifrons is a solitary mason bee native to Northern Asia, widely managed as an agricultural pollinator. The species was first introduced to Japan in the 1940s for apple pollination and subsequently to the northeastern United States in 1977. It is recognized by distinctive horn-like projections on the lower face of females. The bee exhibits protandry, with males emerging 2–3 days before females. It has been documented as established in Canada since at least 2017. Populations remain stable and have not shown rapid expansion compared to the accidentally introduced congener O. taurus.
Osmia lignaria
blue orchard bee, orchard mason bee, BOB
A solitary megachilid bee native to North America, widely managed for pollination of early spring fruit crops including almonds, apples, and cherries. Distinguished by metallic blue coloration, smaller size than honey bees, and unique mud-nesting behavior. Divided into two subspecies by the Rocky Mountains: O. l. propinqua (west) and O. l. lignaria (east).
Osmia lignaria lignaria
Eastern Blue Orchard Bee
Osmia lignaria lignaria is the eastern subspecies of the blue orchard bee, a solitary mason bee native to North America. It is a managed pollinator prized for its efficiency in pollinating early spring-blooming fruit trees including almonds, apples, pears, and cherries. The bee nests in pre-existing cavities such as hollow stems and beetle holes, sealing nest entrances with mud. It has experienced population declines in the eastern United States, with research ongoing into competition with non-native Osmia species and vulnerability to pesticides and parasites.