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Eastern Carpenter Bee

Xylocopa virginica

The Eastern Carpenter Bee is a big, fuzzy bee that loves to make holes in wood. They are important for helping flowers grow by spreading pollen as they visit them.

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The Eastern Carpenter Bee is a large, robust bee with a shiny, hairless black abdomen and a fuzzy yellow and black thorax. It has dark, iridescent wings and may have yellow markings on its head, especially in males, which helps distinguish it from the hairier abdomen of a bumblebee.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyApidaeGenusXylocopa
Eastern Carpenter Bee
furry trait badgesolitary trait badgeherbivorous trait badgepollinator_magnet trait badge
Eastern Carpenter Bee

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Baby carpenter bees eat a special mixture of pollen and nectar!

Male carpenter bees have a distinct yellow patch on their face!

They often return to the same wooden tunnels year after year!

You can hear a unique buzzing sound when they tunnel into wood!

Special abilities

Ability

Buzz Pollinator

Eastern Carpenter Bee can vibrate flowers at high frequencies that helps release pollen for plant fertilization.

Ability

Territorial Guard

Eastern Carpenter Bee males can hover aggressively to deter threats that helps them protect their nesting territories.

Ability

Stinger Defense

Eastern Carpenter Bee females can deliver a painful sting because of their barbed stinger that helps them defend their nest.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
30-50 mm
Size
16-24 mm
Lifespan
60-120 days
Flight Speed
18 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

They drink sweet nectar for energy and collect pollen to feed their babies.

Primary Foods

  • Nectar
  • Pollen
  • Flower sap

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

pollinates

Maypop

Passiflora incarnata

They visit flowers to collect nectar and pollen.

eaten by

Downy Woodpecker

Dendrocopos pubescens

Woodpeckers dig into wood to find their larvae.

parasitizes

Carpenter Bee Mite

Chaetodactylus krombeini

These mites hitchhike on bees to new nests.

Traits

Also known as

Carpenter Bumblebee

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

If you see a bee, it's best to stay calm and not swat at it. They usually won't bother you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Eastern Carpenter Bee's wingspan?

30-50 mm

How big is Eastern Carpenter Bee?

16-24 mm

How long does Eastern Carpenter Bee live?

60-120 days

How fast can Eastern Carpenter Bee fly?

18 km/h

What does Eastern Carpenter Bee eat?

They drink sweet nectar for energy and collect pollen to feed their babies.

Where is Eastern Carpenter Bee usually found?

Urban areas

How does Eastern Carpenter Bee hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Eastern Carpenter Bee have?

6

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