Orchard mason bees are increasingly being used to pollinate field crops such as blueberries.

Orchard mason bees are increasingly being used to pollinate field crops such as blueberries.
© United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service

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Orchard mason bees are increasingly being used to pollinate field crops such as blueberries. Orchard mason bees live in small holes drilled into boards that are placed in close proximity to crops that need pollinating

Orchard Mason Bees

Orchard mason bees (Osmia lignaria) are great for pollinating fruit trees. These trees flower in the spring when it can be cool and wet, but mason bees don't mind such weather. Mason bees are efficient pollinators because they collect nectar and pollen at the same time.

These shiny, dark blue bees are smaller than honeybees and live alone. The females lay their eggs in a narrow hole that they seal with mud. That's why they are called mason bees!