Osmia rufohirta

• Scientific name: Osmia rufohirta
• Common name: -
• Dimension: 8-9 mm
• Habitat: rocky slopes with calcareous soil, arid meadows, old uncultivated vineyards rich in structures and stony road embankments
• Behavior: solitary
• Collective behavior: polylectic
• Nest: in snail shells
• Red list of bees in Switzerland: vulnerable

Interesting Facts:

The red-haired osmia builds its nest inside snail shells, and in each shell it builds a single brood cell. After laying its eggs, this bee moves the snail shell to a safe place, hidden by vegetation. Finally, it covers it with a mixture of saliva and shredded leaves, to camouflage it.