This wild bee species is common and widespread throughout Switzerland. As it has two generations per year, it is one of the few wild bee species that can be observed at nesting aids from spring to autumn.
What do steel-blue mason bees look like?
The steel-blue mason bee is 6–8 mm long and has an iridescent blue body with sparse, white hairs. The male is hairier and differs from the female particularly in its rather coppery to metallic green shimmer.
Flight time
April to September. Two generations per year.
Food preferences
The blue mason bee collects pollen mainly from legumes and Lamiaceae. It loves bird's-foot trefoil, sainfoin, woundwort, and leonurus.
Flight time
April to September. Two generations per year.
Food preferences
The blue mason bee collects pollen mainly from legumes and Lamiaceae. It loves bird's-foot trefoil, sainfoin, woundwort, and leonurus.
How do Steel Blue Mason Bees nest?
The Steel Blue Mason Bee uses chewed leaf material for cell partitions and nest closures.
It camouflages the nest closure partly with other materials such as wood fibers.
