Blue Orchard Bee

The Blue Orchard Bee (Osmia lignaria) 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.

It is also an important managed pollinator for fruit tree crops like apples and cherries, and is of interest to the almond industry in California as a potential supplement to honey bees.

Its flight season is from March into June.

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.