![]() This species is more concentrated in Mexico and the American South than its larger counterpart Xylocopa. Ceratina typically has less body hair, so they’re usually less yellow and more reflective than the large variant. ![]() The small carpenter bee, Ceratina, is typically less than 8mm long. They have yellow hairs, and a reflective, almost metallic-looking exoskeleton. Xylocopa, or the large carpenter bee, measures in at 12-25mm in length, which often causes it to get mistaken for bumble bees. In North America, there are two significant species of carpenter bee: Xylocopa and Ceratina. What are the Different Species of Carpenter Bee? According to the US Forest Service, they are excellent pollinators of tomatoes, eggplants, and other flowering vegetables. They pollinate flowers through intense vibrations (hence the buzzing). They are excellent pollinators and valuable members of garden ecosystems.įeeding on nectar and pollen from flowers and vegetables, carpenter bees are “generalists” that will feed on and pollinate any plant that flowers. While you wouldn’t keep carpenter bees like you would honey bees, some people intentionally house them by gardens. Honey bees are a communal species with queens, worker classes and hives, whereas carpenter bees are largely individualistic, living in small family units. When they hover around your face, they’re simply exploring, as they are drawn to moving people and animals.Ĭarpenter bees do not make honey and behave much differently from honey bees. ![]() Males do not have stingers and are completely harmless when they come into direct contact with humans. Males also tend to “dive bomb” human faces, but don’t worry. If you see two or three carpenter bees in Spring, you can expect a few baby bees to show up not long after, but they do not spread as quickly as other pests like termites or rats. They do have stingers, so keep your hands to yourself around carpenter bee nests.įortunately, this also means that it will take a while for a serious infestation to grow. The females typically stay close to the nest, and are protective of the holes they burrow. The males only live for about one year, and typically die off in late Fall after fertilizing enough nests. The females can live to be up to three years old, and can usually produce two generations per season. How are Male and Female Carpenter Bees Different?įemales lay up to 6 to 10 eggs in their lifetimes, in stark contrast to most other insects that can make dozens or even thousands of eggs in their lifetimes. They typically do not nest much higher than 20 ft above the ground, as their young need easy access to flowers and vegetables that grow on the ground. These bees are most active during the brightest hours of the day, from late morning until early evening. In the wild, they can typically be found in rotten wood near fields or anywhere else you may find trees and flowering plants. They are most prevalent in the US in Southern states from Arizona to Florida, as well as on the East coast up to Southern Maine. As such, you won’t find carpenter bee hives like you would honey bees or wasps.Ĭarpenter bees are the largest species of bee native to North America. They do not have queens or worker classes, as they are a primarily individualistic species. You will often see them bumping into each other while flying. They have bare, black heads, and their thorax (midsection) is covered in short, yellow hair. Characteristics & Behavior of the Carpenter BeeĬarpenter bees are black and yellow, with a shiny abdomen. Contact us today for a free consultation. Using cutting-edge, organic techniques, we are equipped to deal with any pest, any time. If you’re having issues with carpenter bees, proof. In this article, we will go over crucial information about these bees, the damage they cause, and how to deal with them if you have an infestation. While they are not a traditionally dangerous pest like wasps or termites, they can cause serious trouble for homeowners if left unchecked.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |