Two-coloured Mason Bee - Osmia bicolor

The female of this small (12 mm) bee is particularly attractive, with a black head and thorax and bright gingery hairs covering the abdomen. In the male the ginger is less striking.

Most solitary bees and wasps are difficult to identify, and can rarely be identified from photos taken in the field.  All red-rated records should include a photo or set of photos of the specimen, illustrating the key characters taken from a standard key, which should also be referenced (e.g. ‘Falk, 2015’).  The full set of key characters are generally not visible in field photos and photos are rarely sharp enough. To aid in the verification of your records, please include face shot, side, top and wings.  The notes should state whether male or female, and explain how the specimen met the key characters.  Although NS may not be able to identify the species even if these reference photos are provided, the photos will be stored with the record and may allow it be identified in future.   Alternatively, NS will accept records identified by a recognised local or national expert, or that have been identified via BWARS’ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100065021433202 .  If you have obtained this advice, please note the name of the person/organisation identifying the record in the ‘determiner’ field (e.g. ‘Stuart Roberts, BWARS Facebook’) rather than just a comment of ‘BWARS Facebook’.

Various habitats.

April to July.

This is a bee that uses vacant snail-shells as nest sites. It uses masticated leaves to build up to five cells inside before camouflaging the shell with grass or dead leaves.

Mainly found south of a line between The Wash and the Severn Estuary.

Infrequent in Leicestershire and Rutland