Osmia3DNest – novel designed 3D printed artificial nest for solitary cavity-nesting bees

The availability and appropriateness of nesting sites significantly influence the reproductive success and overall welfare of wild bees. Human-induced factors contribute to the destruction of natural nesting habitats. To address these limitations, innovative solutions such as the development of artificial nests, as indicated in recent studies, offer alternative nest sites to support wild bee populations. We designed the Osmia3DNest, a 3D printed standardized nest tube for solitary cavity-nesting bees, aiming to provide a safety for the environment life-long, time-saving, and biodegradable product that anyone can print. We proudly present the two Osmia3DNest models for mason bees – closed and open – using PLA filament. We demonstrate the effectiveness of Osmia3DNest on mason bee reproduction parameters compared with traditional reed nests. Osmia3DNest can be an alternative to the other artificial nests, which people can customize for their necessity depending on their place of living (ru..., , , # Osmia3DNest – novel designed 3D printed artificial nest for solitary cavity-nesting bees

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.547d7wmh0](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.547d7wmh0)

The data include results from field experiments comparing the morphometric and reproduction traits of *Osmia rufa* in natural and 3D-printed nests.

We designed the 3D-printed nest for the solitary bee *Osmia rufa* made of PLA filament. In presented study we tasted two types of nests: open “3D open nest” and closed one “3D nest” and traditional used reed stem nests. The first experiment was conducted on 3D printed nests with similar dimensions (7.0 mm diameter and 150.00 mm length). After incubation in laboratory we compared such parameters as the occupation of nests by bee, sex ratio, the mass of cocoons, and number of cells and cocoons.

In the second we compared the number of adult individuals and sex ratio between 3D nests with three internal diameter sizes: 7 mm, 8 mm, and 10 mm.

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