Western Blue Orchard Bee

The Western Blue Orchard Bee (Osmia lignaria ssp. propiniqua) is a bee in the family Megachilidae, found in the San Francisco Bay Area.

This species is a common and widespread member of the Osmia genus found at garden sites in California.

Its flight season is from March into June.

Western blue orchard bees are solitary bees that nest in preexisting cavities in wood, such as old beetle holes. They will readily occupy holes drilled into boards, hollow reeds, cardboard and straws.