Osmia lignaria, Blue Orchard Bee
- pollinators1
- Oct 15
- 1 min read
Updated: Oct 17
The Blue Orchard Bee (Osmia lignaria) stands out with its eye-catching metallic blue-black color! Like most of Colorado’s 1,000+ native bee species, these solitary bees build individual nests, rather than live in colonies, and often select natural cavities found in wood or hollow stems. To ensure direct and efficient pollen transfer between flowers, they carry collected pollen on the undersides of their bodies. This trait, along with their tendency to revisit the same type of plants, makes them invaluable for pollinating fruit trees, such as apples, cherries, and peaches. And, since they often opt to use man-made nesting materials, they are excellent candidates for more managed native pollination in our state’s orchards and gardens!
In 2022, People & Pollinators Action Network (PPAN) championed CO Senate Bill 22-199 at the legislature, in which the CO Department of Natural Resources commissioned a study on our state's native pollinating insects.
Insects, often underestimated, play a remarkable role in our state's landscapes. Not only are they cool, but they are also vital contributors to essential ecosystem services. From pollination to waste decomposition,
insects support Colorado's diverse landscapes, from the mountains to the rivers. Join us as we delve into the
world of this fascinating wildlife and learn about the Colorado Native Pollinating Insects Study (2024) report!
