Painted Mining Bee vs Blue Orchard Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Painted Mining Bee | Blue Orchard Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Andrena fucata | Osmia lignaria |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Andrenidae | Megachilidae |
| Size | 10-13 mm | 10-14 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Orchards |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Painted Mining Bee
A handsome spring bee with a red-brown thorax and banded abdomen. It is common in woodland clearings and gardens across Europe.
Did You Know?
It is a favourite host of the cuckoo bee Nomada flava, which lays eggs in its nest burrows.
Blue Orchard Bee
A metallic dark blue solitary bee that nests in pre-existing holes in wood. It is an exceptionally efficient pollinator of fruit trees, significantly outperforming honey bees per individual.
Did You Know?
A single blue orchard bee can pollinate as effectively as 60 to 80 honey bees, making them increasingly important for commercial fruit production.