Red Mason-bee

The Red Mason-bee (Osmia rufa) is a very familiar and distinctive spring-flying solitary bee in gardens, parks and allotments.

There is a single flight period each year and it is found from late March to early June (occasionally later). Peak activity matches the flowering period of of the mass-flowering fruit trees such as Apple and Pear, ie late April to mid-May. The males usually emerge about two weeks before the females. This one is a male.

This species can be encouraged to nest by providing bundles of hollow sticks or sawn-off canes and is a very valuable pollinator. Possibly one of the species that will benefit from the temporary EU ban on use of neonicotinoid insecticides.