Blue Orchard Bee (Osmia lignaria): Commercial Pollinator for Orchards

Authors

Theresa Pitts-Singer, USDA Research Entomologist

Document Type

Factsheet

Publisher

Utah State University Extension

Publication Date

3-30-2021

First Page

1

Last Page

3

Abstract

The most common mason bee in Utah is the blue orchard bee. Blue orchard bees collect pollen from a large variety of flowering plants but prefer fruit trees from the family Rosaceae. Recent concerns about honey bees, coupled with the blue orchard bee’s superior pollination of tree fruits, have increased interest in rearing blue orchard bees.

Recommended Citation

Pitts-Singer, Theresa, "Blue Orchard Bee (Osmia lignaria): Commercial Pollinator for Orchards" (2021). All Current Publications. Paper 2176.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/extension_curall/2176