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Osmia californica

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Osmia californica
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Megachilidae
Genus: Osmia
Species:
O. californica
Binomial name
Osmia californica
Cresson, 1864

Osmia californica is a megachilid bee, or mason bee. Native to North America, the mason bees are important pollinators, with O. california pollinating over 33 genera from 13 plant families.[1] O. californica generally emerges a little later in the spring than the better known orchard mason bee (O. lignaria). Like the orchard mason bee, O. californica is a solitary nester, usually constructing nests with leaf pulp providing a partition within the nest to protect the egg chamber.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Cripps, C.; Rust, R. W. (1 August 1989). "Pollen Foraging in a Community of Osmia Bees (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)". Environmental Entomology. 18 (4): 582–589. doi:10.1093/ee/18.4.582.
  2. ^ Torchio, P. F. (1 September 1989). "In-Nest Biologies and Development of Immature Stages of Three Osmia Species (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)". Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 82 (5): 599–615. doi:10.1093/aesa/82.5.599.