Photo: Arnstein Staverløkk / NINA / CC BY 3.0
Osmia aurulenta
Gold-fringed Mason Bee
A distinctive mason bee with a striking golden-red coat of hairs on the thorax and a black abdomen with sparse golden hair fringes. It is famous for nesting in empty snail shells, sealing the opening with chewed leaf pulp. It occurs in dry, sunny habitats such as calcareous grasslands, dry meadows, and rocky slopes. In Switzerland it is found in warm valleys and the Jura mountains. Swiss Red List: Least Concern (LC).
Species Facts
- Size
- 10-14 mm
- Flight Period
- April to July
- Nesting
- Cavities
- Specialization
- Generalist
- Abundance
- Uncommon
- Family
- Megachilidae
External Sources
This data has been cross-referenced with national sources:
Data Source & Copyright
| Category | Source / Author | License |
|---|---|---|
| Photo | Arnstein Staverløkk / NINA | CC BY 3.0 |
| Taxonomy & Distribution | InfoFauna Switzerland | Public data |
| Global Distribution | GBIF | CC BY 4.0 |
Data Quality
High Quality Last audit: 2026-05-22
Completeness: 100%
✓Photo exists✓Traits consistent✓Description quality✓Red List referenced✓Attribution verified
Confidence: 67%
IdentifiabilityMediumImage confidenceMediumImage qualityHighTrait coherenceHigh
