Red Mason Bee

Name: Red Mason Bee

Scientific name: Osmia rufa

Category: Minibeasts

Nature Stars: 60

What are nature stars?

About: A small, common bee, covered in brown hairs. Mason Bees nest in holes in cliffs and in the crumbly mortar on old buildings.

How to identify: A common brown bee that can often be seen visiting their nests in old walls during the summer. There are many similar species of masonry bee that are difficult to identify.

Where: Widespread in England and Wales, rarer in Scotland.

Natural Superpowers

• Predator: 10
• Agility: 60
• Rarity: 50
• Cute factor: 50
• Traveller: 60

Fantastic fact: Bees tend to be furry, while wasps are smooth.

Photograph credit: bramblejungle