''Osmia avosetta'' is a species of
mason bee. It is solitary by nature, and is notable for its distinctive use of
flower petal
Petals are modified Leaf, leaves that surround the reproductive parts of flowers. They are often advertising coloration, brightly colored or unusually shaped to attract pollinators. All of the petals of a flower are collectively known as the ''c ...
s to construct nests for its
larvae
A larva (; plural larvae ) is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle.
The ...
.
[.]
Nesting
The female ''O. avosetta'' digs shallow tunnels in the ground consisting of one or two chambers, each of which it then covers with flower petals glued together with mud. It then places larval food in each chamber and seals it with soil and by folding the petals over. The cell hardens to form protection for the larva against predation and weather. This behavior was first observed on the same day in 2009, by two research groups working separately in the mountains of
Turkey and
Iran.
Both teams co-published their findings.
Distribution
The species is found in Southwest Asia. It was first identified in Turkey, and has also been observed in Iran, Syria and Jordan.
In August 2019 a Mason Bee nest made from
Hydrangea petals was discovered in a conservatory in
Bristol, England. The bee is thought to have arrived in the UK in holiday luggage from
Dalaman, Turkey. Once notified, the
British Beekeepers Association
The British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) is a Charitable organization, charitable organisation registered in Charitable organisation (England), England and Wales that was founded in 1874. It is made up of 75 associations in England & Wales plu ...
said the bee had the potential to harm native species.
Defra DEFRA may refer to:
* Deficit Reduction Act of 1984, United States law
* Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, United Kingdom government department
{{Disambiguation ...
put a kill order on the bee, however, the family who discovered its nest said they were unable to catch it.
References
avosetta
Insects described in 1988
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