Subgenus Neosmia

The subgenus Neosmia Tkalcu is confined to the Palaearctic region. It contains 10 species.

Osmia (Neosmia) bicolor (Schrank, 1781): Pile of pine needles completely covering the nest in an empty snail shell (left); opened nest with the feeding larva and the nest plug composed of pebbles and earth crumbs (right). Foto A. Krebs.

Species accounts

Osmia (Neosmia) cinnabarina Pérez, 1895

1895 Osmia cinnabarina Pérez, Espèces nouvelles de mellifères de Barbarie, p. 10. Type material: Lectotype f, by designation of Tkalcu (1977a: 93), “Tlemcen” [Algeria], MNHN (Paris).-Combination Osmia (Osmia) cinnabarina Pérez in Friese (1911b: 88).

Distribution-Northern Africa: DZ, E(Ca/Fuerteventura, Lanzarote), MA, TN. Southwestern Asia: IL, JOR.

Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Ducke (1900); Müller (2022a); Peters (1975: 54-55); Tkalcu (1977a, 1993b: 815).

Nesting biology: Preexisting cavities: empty snail shells (e.g. Theba) ranging in diameter from 1.5-1.7cm and with 1-3 brood cells per shell. Nesting material: The cells are separated by one-layered partitions of leaf pulp. The one-layered leaf pulp partition that seals the outermost cell has a marginal thickness of about 3mm, is thicker than the cell partitions and forms the base of the nest plug, which consists of a 0.5-0.9cm long space densely filled with small pebbles, fragments of snail shells or pieces of petals and stems, followed by a final partition at or a few millimetres behind the shell opening built from mollusc shell fragments and small pebbles embedded into a matrix of leaf pulp. The shell surface is plastered with patches of leaf pulp. (Müller, 2022a)

Flower preferences: Polylectic; pollen sources include Fabaceae, Resedaceae (e.g. Reseda), Asteraceae (Asteroideae, Cichorioideae), Brassicaceae and Cistaceae (Müller, 2022a).

Osmia (Neosmia) gracilicornis Pérez, 1895

1895 Osmia gracilicornis Pérez, Espèces nouvelles de mellifères de Barbarie, p. 10. Type material: Lectotype f, by designation of Tkalcu (1974b: 335), “Tunis” [Tunisia], MNHN (Paris). Type species of Neosmia Tkalcu.-Combination Osmia (Osmia) gracilicornis Pérez in Friese (1911b: 88).

Distribution-Northern Africa: DZ, ET, LAR, MA, TN. Southwestern Asia: IL, JOR.

Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Ducke (1900); Müller (2022a); Tkalcu (1974b: 334, 1977a).

Nesting biology: Unknown.

Flower preferences: Polylectic; pollen sources include Brassicaceae, Cistaceae, Fabaceae, Asteraceae (Asteroideae, Carduoideae, Cichorioideae), Boraginaceae (e.g. Echium), Resedaceae and Dipsacoideae (Müller, 2022a).

Osmia (Neosmia) nigrocalcaribus Müller, 2022

2022 Osmia (Neosmia) nigrocalcaribus Müller, Zootaxa, 5188: 220. Type material: Holotype f, “Fretissa farm” [Tunisia], ETH (Zurich); paratypes ff.

Distribution-Northern Africa: DZ, MA, TN.

Identification-Keys, Descriptions: No supplementary or more detailed morphological description known. Note: Male unknown.

Nesting biology: Unknown.

Flower preferences: The only pollen load available consisted of pollen of Fabaceae (Müller, 2022a).

Osmia (Neosmia) secunda Peters, 1977

1977 Osmia (Neosmia) tkalcui secunda Peters, Entomologische Zeitschrift (Stuttgart), 87: 25. Type material: Holotype m, “Tripolitania, Garian, ca. 2500 Fuss” [Libya], BMNH (London).-Combination Osmia (Neosmia) secunda Peters in Müller (2022a).

Distribution-Northern Africa: LAR, TN.

Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Müller (2022a). Note: Female unknown.

Nesting biology: 

Flower preferences: Unknown.

Osmia (Neosmia) tingitana Benoist, 1969

1969 Osmia tingitana Benoist, Bulletin de la Société Entomologique de France, 74: 243. Type material: Lectotype m, by designation of Zanden (1986: 74), “Tanger” [Morocco], MNHN (Paris); paralectotypes mm.

1977 Osmia (Neosmia) tkalcui Peters, Entomologische Zeitschrift (Stuttgart), 87: 22. Type material: Holotype m, “Cyrenaica” [Libya], SMFD (Frankfurt); paratypes mm, ff.-Synonymy in Zanden (1986: 74).

Distribution-Northern Africa: DZ, ET, LAR, MA, TN.

Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Müller (2022a); Tkalcu (1977a); Zanden (1986: 74).

Nesting biology-Nesting site: Preexisting cavities: empty snail shells ranging in diameter from 1.8-3.5cm and containing 1-7 brood cells. The nests are probably turned after they have been sealed so that the shell opening is facing the ground. The nests described by Sihem et al. (2017) were found lying hidden under grasses and pine needles, but it is not known whether the females rolled them under the vegetation or whether they actively covered them with grasses and needles. Nesting material: The cells are separated by one-layered partitions of leaf pulp. The one-layered leaf pulp partition that seals the outermost cell forms the base of the thick nest plug, which consists of a space densely filled with sand grains, small pebbles, earth crumbs, fragments of plants and snail shells, followed by a 0.25-0.7cm thick partition at the shell opening built from snail shell fragments embedded into a matrix of leaf pulp, e.g. of Pinus. Nesting cycle: The species overwinters as fully developed imago in a self-spun cocoon within the brood cell. Brood parasites: Chrysura barbata (Chrysididae). (Müller, 2022a; Peters, 1977; Sihem et al., 2017)

Flower preferences: Polylectic; pollen sources include Cistaceae, Fabaceae, Asteraceae (Asteroideae, Carduoideae, Cichorioideae), Brassicaceae and Monocots (Müller, 2022a).

scutispina species group

Osmia (Neosmia) rosea Friese, 1920

1920 Osmia rosea Friese, Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift (Berlin), 1920: 50. Type material: Lectotype m, by designation of Tkalcu (1977a: 93), “Tunis merid.” [Tunisia], ZMHB (Berlin).-Synonymy with Osmia scutispina Gribodo in Tkalcu (1977a: 93), rejected by Müller (2022a).

Distribution-Northern Africa: TN. Southwestern Asia: IL.

Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Müller (2022a).

Nesting biology-Nesting site: Preexisting cavities: empty snail shells. Nesting material: The females cover the shell surface with patches of leaf pulp and pile up small stones and fragments of mollusc shells in front of the outermost brood cell. (Müller, 2022a; N. Vereecken, personal communication)

Flower preferences: Polylectic; pollen sources include Asteraceae (Asteroideae, Cichorioideae), Brassicaceae and Zygophyllaceae (Müller, 2022a).

Osmia (Neosmia) rufigastra Lepeletier, 1841

1841 Osmia rufigastra Lepeletier, Histoire Naturelle des Insectes, Hyménoptères, vol. 2, p. 324 [not seen]. Type material: Lectotype f, by designation of Tkalcu (1977a: 92), “Oran” [Algeria], MNHN (Paris).-Combination Osmia (Helicosmia) rufigastra Lepeletier in Schmiedeknecht (1885: 92 [888]). Combination Osmia (Osmia) rufigastra Lepeletier in Friese (1911b: 107). Combination Osmia (Diceratosmia) rufigastra Lepeletier in Michener (1941: 162).

Distribution-Northern Africa: DZ, MA, TN.

Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Ducke (1900); Müller (2022a); Schmiedeknecht (1885-1886); Tkalcu (1977a).

Nesting biology-Nesting site: Preexisting cavities: empty snail shells (e.g. Helix) with one to several brood cells. The closed shell is rolled to a suitable place and buried 6-8cm deep into the sandy ground often under grass tussocks or withered leaves, before the upper 2-3cm of the burrow are actively filled with sand. Nesting material: The outermost cell is closed with a one-layered partition of leaf pulp. This partition forms the base of the thick nest plug, which consists of a ca. 0.75cm long space densely filled with sand grains, earth crumbs, blade and stem pieces and fragments of snail shells, followed by a final partition built from mollusc shell fragments cemented together with leaf pulp. The shell surface is plastered with patches of leaf pulp. (Ferton, 1920; Müller, 2022a)

Flower preferences: Unknown.

Osmia (Neosmia) scutispina Gribodo, 1894

1894 Osmia scutispina Gribodo, Bullettino della Società Entomologica Italiana, 26: 102. Type material: Syntypes ff, “Boghari, Ponteba” [Algeria], MSNG (Genova).

1920 Osmia rosea Friese, Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift (Berlin), 1920: 50. Type material: Lectotype m, by designation of Tkalcu (1977a: 93), “Tunis merid.” [Tunisia], ZMHB (Berlin).-Synonymy in Tkalcu (1977a: 93).

Distribution-Northern Africa: DZ, LAR, TN.

Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Ducke (1900); Müller (2022a); Tkalcu (1977a).

Nesting biology-Nesting site: Preexisting cavities: empty snail shells. The only two nests discovered so far were in shells with diameters of 18 mm and 19 mm, contained six brood cells each and were neither buried into the ground nor turned in a protected position. Nesting material: The cells were separated by one-layered partitions of leaf pulp. The one-layered leaf pulp partition that sealed the outermost cell was distinctly thicker than the cell partitions and formed the base of the thick nest, which consisted of a 12mm long space very loosely filled with small pebbles, earth crumbs, leaflets or seeds followed by a final partition of leaf pulp built at a distance of 2mm and 8mm from the shell opening. (Müller, 2022a)

Flower preferences: Polylectic; pollen sources include Fabaceae, Asteraceae (Asteroideae, Carduoideae, Cichorioideae), Brassicaceae, Cistaceae and Lamiaceae (Nepetoideae) (Müller, 2022a).

bicolor species group

Osmia (Neosmia) bicolor (Schrank, 1781)

1781 Apis bicolor Schrank, Enumeratio Insectorum Austriae Indigenorum, p. 400. Type material: f(f), “Viennae” [Austria], presumed lost (Tkalcu, 1977a: 97).-Combination Osmia (Helicosmia) bicolor (Schrank) in Schmiedeknecht (1885: 22 [888]).

1785 Apis rustica Geoffroy, in: Fourcroy, Entomologia Parisiensis, vol. 2, p. 451. Type material: f(f), “Paris” [France], presumed lost (Tkalcu, 1977a: 97).-Synonymy in Tkalcu (1977a: 97).

1791 Apis fusca Christ, Naturgeschichte, Klassification und Nomenclatur der Insekten, p. 182. NOMEN PRAEOCCUPATUM [not Apis fusca Scopoli, 1763]. Type material: No original material known, [Germany].-Synonymy in Warncke (1986: 99).

1791 Apis hirundinaria Christ, Naturgeschichte, Klassification und Nomenclatur der Insekten, p. 188. Type material: No original material known, [Germany].-Synonymy in Warncke (1986: 101).

1841 Osmia pyrenaea Lepeletier, Histoire Naturelle des Insectes, Hyménoptères, vol. 2, p. 319 [not seen]. Type material: f(f), “Pyrénées. Barèges” [France], MNHN (Paris).-Combination Osmia bicolor pyrenaea Lepeletier in Dalla Torre (1896: 387).-Synonymy in Pérez (1879: 175).

1857 Osmia fusca Gistel, Vacuna, 2: 537. NOMEN PRAEOCCUPATUM [not Apis fusca Christ, 1791]. Type material: No original material known, “Monachii” [Munich] [Germany].-Synonymy in Schwarz et al. (1996: 121).

1879 Osmia rufitarsis Smith, Description of New Species of Hymenoptera in the Collection of the British Museum, p. 61. Type material: Holotype f, “Angara River, Siberia” [Russia], BMNH (London).-Synonymy in Tkalcu (1995: 142).

1917 Osmia monachiensis Strand, Archiv für Naturgeschichte, 82: 98. NOMEN NOVUM with same type specimen for preoccupied Osmia fusca Gistel, 1857 [not Apis fusca Christ, 1791].

Distribution-Europe: A, AL, B, BG, BIH, BY, CH, CZ, D, E, EST, F, FIN, FL, GB, GE, H, HR, I, L, LT, LV, N, NL, P, PL, RO, RUS(CR,SR), S, SCG, SK, SLO, UA. Northern Asia: RUS(WS,ES).

Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Amiet et al. (2004); Banaszak and Romasenko (2001); Benoist (1931); Ducke (1900); Móczár (1958); Müller (2022a); Radoszkowski (1887a: 292); Scheuchl (1996); Schmiedeknecht (1885-1886); Tkalcu (1977a).

Nesting biology-Nesting site: Preexisting cavities: empty snail shells of mostly medium size (e.g. Arianta, Cepaea, Crepidula, Fruticicola, Helicella, Helix, Monacha, Xerolenta) with mostly 1-2, rarely up to 5 brood cells. The closed shell is turned so that the shell opening is directed towards the ground before it is covered with hundreds of pine needles, dry grass blades, fragments of dead leaves, scales from beech buds or wood particles; occasionally, the females sink the nest 1.5 cm deep into the ground prior to the construction of the protective cover by removing earth from below the shell. Nesting material: The cells are separated by one-layered partitions of leaf pulp, e.g. of Potentilla, Fragaria, Glaucium, Ononis, Salix, Sanguisorba, Rosa, Polygonum or Vicia. After cell provisioning, which requires 27-39 foraging bouts, and egg deposition, the outermost cell is sealed by a one-layered leaf pulp partition, which forms the base of the nest plug consisting of a 1-2cm long space densely packed with small pebbles, earth crumps, broken snail shells, pieces of chalk or wood particles, followed by a final partition built from leaf pulp at some distance from, rarely at the shell opening. The space filled with foreign particles is often divided up by one to three additional leaf pulp partitions. The shell surface is plastered with patches of leaf pulp. Nesting cycle: The species overwinters as imago in a self-spun cocoon within the brood cell. Brood parasites: Chrysura cuprea, C. refulgens, C. trimaculata (Chrysididae), Eulophus osmiarum (Eulophidae), Sapyga quinquepunctata (Sapygidae). (Amiet, 1973; Banaszak and Romasenko, 2001; Bellmann, 1981; Benoist, 1931; Berland and Bernard, 1938; Friese, 1897b, 1923; Graeffe, 1902; Grissell, 2007; Grozdanic and Vasic, 1965; Kunz, 1989; Müller, 2022a; Müller et al., 1997; O’Toole and Raw, 1991; Schmiedeknecht, 1885-1886; Smith, 1844; Stoeckhert, 1933; Strumia, 1997; Westrich, 1989)

Flower preferences: Polylectic; pollen sources include Apiaceae, Asparagaceae, Asteraceae (Asteroideae, Cichorioideae), Boraginaceae, Brassicaceae, Caprifoliaceae, Cistaceae, Cyperaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae (Lamioideae, Nepetoideae), Plantaginaceae, Primulaceae, Ranunculaceae, Rosaceae, Salicaceae, Saxifragaceae and Violaceae (Müller, 2022a).

Male behaviour: The males occupy small home ranges, to which they adhere during their entire flight period (Müller 1990, 1991). Within these home ranges, they search for females by patrolling both female host flowers and snail shells lying on the ground along more or less fixed circular flight routes in a rapid flight, which is interrupted by short resting periods on the ground. These flight routes are neither marked with pheromones nor defended against conspecifics but instead often widely overlap. The males sleep singly or in small groups within empty snail shells as do females that have not yet started their nesting activities (Bellmann 1991).

Osmia (Neosmia) jason Benoist, 1929

1929 Osmia Jason Benoist, Bulletin de la Société Entomologique de France, 1929: 95. Type material: Holotype f, “Comana Vlasca” [Romania], MNHN (Paris).

Distribution-Europe: BG, GR, GR(Rhodes), MK, RO, SCG. Southwestern Asia: IL.

Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Müller (2022a); Tkalcu (1977a).

Nesting biology-Nesting site: Preexisting cavities: empty snail shells (e.g. Helix) with 2 brood cells. The closed shell is buried into the ground and the place where the shell was buried is covered with dried plant matter. Nesting material: The cells are separated by one-layered partitions of leaf pulp, e.g. of Crataegus. The outermost cell is closed with a one-layered partition of leaf pulp followed by a space filled with sand, pebbles or earth crumbs and a final partition of leaf pulp at some distance from the shell opening, resulting in a three-layered nest plug. The central layer of the nest plug was in one case divided up by three additional leaf pulp partitions. The shell surface is plastered with patches of leaf pulp. Nesting cycle: The species overwinters as imago in a self-spun cocoon within the brood cell. (Grozdanic, 1971; Müller, 2022a)

Flower preferences: Polylectic; pollen sources include Cistaceae, Asteraceae (Asteroideae, Carduoideae, Cichorioideae), Fabaceae, Lamiaceae (Lamioideae, Nepetoideae), Zygophyllaceae, Apiaceae, Brassicaceae, Dipsacoideae, Monocots and Scrophulariaceae (Müller, 2022a).