It is found throughout most of North America, particularly in wooded areas but often around homes in towns and cities. With the declining feral or wild bee population, the Orchard Mason bee can be easily attracted to pollinate crop plants. It is a gentle, shiny blue-black metallic bee, and slightly smaller than a honey bee. Males are smaller than females and have longer antennae and an additional tuft of light colored hairs on the face.
Females have hairs on the underside of the abdomen adapted for carrying pollen.
This bee does not live in a hive. In nature, it nests within hollow stems, woodpecker drillings, and insect holes found in trees or wood. Sometimes, there may be dense collections of individual nest holes, but these bees neither connect or share nests, nor help provision or protect each others' young. They are active for only a short period of the year. They are not aggressive and they may be observed at very close range without fear of being stung, unless they are handled roughly or if trapped under clothing.