The Blue Orchard Bee is a small, metallic blue-black mason bee that is a highly efficient orchard pollinator, with one female doing the work of many honey bees due to her imprecise, pollen-drenching foraging style. She lays eggs in pre-existing cavities — tubes, holes in wood, and mason bee houses — sealing each cell with mud. It is commercially managed for orchard pollination across North America.
Best time to see a Blue Orchard Bee
The best time to see a Blue Orchard Bee is March–April, when about 70% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 1,499 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Blue Orchard Bee? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Blue Orchard Bee sightings near you
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