[4] Osmia uncinata is a wasp like mason bee with a yellow and black striped thorax which is quite variable in its colour and the degree of hairiness shown.

[5] On the continent Osmia uncinata is polylectic and has been recorded as utilising pollen sources from plants belonging to 10 different families.

[7] In Scotland, both males and females have been observed visiting Lotus corniculatus, broom Cytisus scoparius, bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus and rowan Sorbus aucuparia, but these latter three may be nectar sources for the adults only [8] Meadows which border pine woods are possibly an important source of food by providing nectar to fuel the adults' flight and pollen to be provided for the larvae.

[6] In Scotland it is Listed as vulnerable,[6] the main threats to Osmia uncinata are the reduction of available habitat, the loss of the open areas within the forest and increased shading of the forage plants.

Attempts to encourage them to use artificial nests in Scotland were unsuccessful[4] but did find other rare species of arthropod such as Clubiona subsultans.