Mason bees are fascinating creatures that play an important role in pollinating many plants. Their unique behaviors and striking appearances make them a joy to observe and photograph. This article will showcase breathtaking pictures of mason bees and discuss what makes them such captivating subjects.
Mason bees are a large group of solitary bees that belong to the genus Osmia. There are over 300 species found worldwide, though the Blue Orchard Mason Bee is the most common in North America.
These bees get their name from their habit of using mud or other “masonry” materials to construct their nests which are made in pre-existing holes and cracks. Unlike social bees like honeybees mason bees live and work alone. The females provision individual nests with pollen and nectar to feed their offspring.
One of the most notable features of mason bees is the dense hair that covers their bodies. Their fuzziness serves an important purpose — the hairs help collect and carry pollen. Mason bees are excellent pollinators, making them hugely beneficial to gardens, orchards, and farms.
Striking Appearances
The various species of mason bees display an array of vivid colors and distinctive patterns. Their bodies are clothed in beautiful iridescent hair in shades of black, brown, orange, red, blue, and metallic green.
Many types also have pale white or yellow facial markings. The striking two-toned faces create a mask-like look. For example, the Blue Orchard Bee has a brilliant blue-black body sharply contrasted by its snowy white face.
Other ornamental features include the horn-like projections on the faces of Horned Mason Bees and the spine-tipped abdomens of Spined Mason Bees. This diversity makes mason bees exceptional subjects for close-up photography.
Dynamic behaviors
Mason bees lead active lives, giving photographers many opportunities to capture them in motion. Their behaviors through the seasons provide a progression of engaging moments.
In spring, mason bees emerge from their winter resting spots. Males eagerly fly out seeking females and defending territory. Females busy themselves locating suitable nesting sites in hollow reeds, holes in wood, or even gaps in stone walls.
Summer presents plentiful occasions to photograph mason bees visiting flowers. They can be spotted busily gathering nectar and pollen. Their furry bodies become dusted with pollen grains, creating a charming look.
By autumn, mason bees finish provisioning their nests. Females lay eggs and seal the holes with mud or chewed leaves. Adults die off, leaving behind the next generation tucked away for winter.
Ideal Subjects for Close-Ups
The compact size of mason bees, ranging from 5 to 15 mm long, perfectly suits them for macro photography. Their tolerance of humans makes capturing frame-filling portraits straightforward.
Close-up images reveal intricate details like the fine hairs covering their eyes and legs, delicate wing venation, and fluffy, feather-like antennae. Backlit, translucent wings become a kaleidoscope of colors.
Tight crops of faces highlight unique facial patterns and the iridescent vestiture reflecting metallic blue, green, and violet shades. Close focus also emphasizes the textures and colors of pollen clinging to their fuzzy bodies.
Picture-Perfect Moments
When photographing mason bees keep watch for these charming and picturesque moments:
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A male mason bee patrolling his territory, hovering in flight.
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Sunlight catching the iridescent hair of a backlit bee, creating a halo effect.
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A female squeezing into a narrow cavity, her fuzz fluffed out.
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Mason bees taking turns at a good nesting hole like guests at a popular nightclub.
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Pollen-dusted bees grooming themselves or rubbing off pollen loads.
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Larval bees visible through the transparent walls of nest cells.
Tips for Photographing Mason Bees
Here are some tips to help you get frame-worthy shots of these photogenic pollinators:
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Learn when mason bees are active in your area to maximize sightings. Their flight season is typically early spring.
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Provide habitat like drilled wooden blocks or bamboo tubes to attract mason bees. Site nests in sunny spots and near flower gardens.
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Approach slowly and quietly when bees are actively nesting and foraging. Sudden movements will startle them away.
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Use a macro lens with at least 1:1 magnification to fill the frame with small subjects. Add a flash for extra lighting.
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Try backlighting to emphasize translucency and bring out vibrant iridescent colors.
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Take advantage of morning and evening golden hour lighting to obtain images with beautiful color and light.
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Experiment with angles and perspectives — try shooting low to the ground or from directly above.
Mason bees offer everything a nature photographer could want in a subject — visual appeal, intriguing behavior, and tolerant attitudes. A bit of patience and practice in their habitat will reward you with exquisite photos of these charismatic creatures. The diversity of mason bee species means there are always more stunning photographic opportunities. Grab your macro lens and start capturing the beauty of mason bees!
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Common Characteristics of North American Mason Bees
- Most species in North America are metallic blue, black, or green, but there are some that are other colors.
- Most species in North America are between 7 and 15 millimeters long. Male bees are much smaller than females.
- Mason bees use their big, scissor-like jaws to gather mud, pulp, and leaves to build their nests.
- The female mason bees all have rows of hairs called scopa on the underside of their abdomens that collect pollen. A scopa is only found on female mason bees. Males don’t need these special hairs because they don’t help carry pollen back to the nest.
- Mason bee females have a stinger, but they are not mean and rarely sting, even when they are handled. Also, it hurts a lot less than a honey bee sting. Because of this, beekeepers don’t need any special safety gear to work with mason bees. Male mason bees do not have a stinger!.
The Blue Orchard Bee and the Japanese Orchard Bee (also called the Hornfaced Bee) are the two species of mason bees that Crown Bees works with most often. Both species are very good at pollinating plants in the spring, and the plants they pollinate and the way they build their nests are very similar. The specific species of Mason Bee that you will receive from us is dependent on your location.
Here is some more information on how to identify the Blue Orchard Mason Bee, the Japanese Orchard Mason Bee, the European Orchard Mason Bee, and the Red Mason Bee. There is also a list of useful identification tools for people who want to learn more about identifying the pollinators that visit their area.
Blue Orchard Mason Bee, Osmia lignaria
The female is ~14 mm in length. Her metallic bluish-gray color can sometimes make her look black, and her hair pulls pollen off of her body as she searches for nectar and pollen. When flying, the blue orchard mason bee is often mistaken for a black fly. As with other mason bees, the female collects pollen on her scopa to bring back to her nest.
The male is noticeably small, ~ 11 mm long. His long antennae and light-colored hair on top of his head make him easy to tell apart from a female. Males are similar in color to females; however, he lacks scopal hairs.
The Amazing Mason Bee: What Are Mason Bees : How to Attract Mason Bees
FAQ
How do you identify a mason bee?
Do mason bees sting or bite?
Are mason bees good to have around?
What is the difference between a mason bee and a carpenter bee?
Are mason bees a honey bee?
Unlike the honey bee, Mason Bees are tunnel-nesting solitary pollinators, and they typically use mud or clay to seal the openings of their homes. According to the U.S. Forest Service, there are 140 species of Osmia in North America. –– Interested in bringing Mason Bees to your property?
Why are honeybees called Masons?
This unique mud-building behavior leads to their common designation as masons. Honeybees are very important to commercial agriculture, but native bees like the blue orchard bees are better and more efficient pollinators of native crops. There are 140 species of Osmia in North America.
Are mason bees native to North America?
About 140 species of Mason Bee are native to North America, and they are commonly found in orchards, gardens, and allotments. NatureServe notes that an additional three species (Osmia cornifrons and O. taurus from Asia and O. caerulescens from Europe) have been introduced to North America.
Are mason bees a bumblebee?
Mason bees belong to the genus “Osmia” and the family “Megachilidae”. There are about 500 different Mason bee species but only around 20 reside in the UK — the most common being the Red mason bee (Osmia bicornis). They are a variety of solitary bee which means they don’t live in colonies like the famous bumblebee.
What does a mason bee look like?
While there are many different species of the Mason Bee, these pollinators are smaller than a honey bee and tend to have distinct physical characteristics. The female is a black bee with an orange abdomen and feet, black fur on her face and thorax, and long red-brown hairs on the abdomen.
Where can I find a mason bee?
You will typically be able to find a Mason Bee throughout North America, aside from the far-north regions of Canada and Alaska. Blue Orchard Mason Bee: According to the U.S. Forest Service, blue orchard bees have dark metallic blue bodies, and are not striped brown and orange like the honey bee.