Pollinator-specialist
Guides
Osmia calaminthae
blue calamintha bee
Osmia calaminthae is a rare mason bee endemic to a restricted area of Florida scrub habitat. The species was described in 2011 and is known from only eleven sites concentrated in the southern Lake Wales Ridge and Ocala National Forest. It exhibits striking blue coloration and shows extreme host specialization, depending primarily on two mint-family plants for pollen. The species is considered Critically Imperiled due to its extremely limited range, specific habitat requirements, and ongoing threats from development and pesticide exposure. It was rediscovered in March 2020 after concerns about its continued existence.