Osmia caerulescens or leaiana?

[Africa]

I was watching Red mason bees collecting mud when I noticed this much smaller and drabber female collecting mud. I know the photo is rubbish, although you can see droplets of water sliding on her back.



Any thoughts?

[Matt Smith]

A small, faded Osmia rufa. Females of Osmia caerulescens and O.leaiana are much more "blueish" and seal their cells with masticated plant materials, not mud.

[Africa]

Thank you Matt. I am really not familiar with any other species, but this individual was quite drab and half the size of the others. Unfortunately I couldn't get any other shots. It shows how large intraspecific variation is.