ExploreInsects

Golden-tailed Woodborer

Lithurgus chrysurus

The Golden-tailed Woodborer is a special beetle known for its shiny golden tail! These little insects help trees by making tunnels in wood, which can help the tree stay healthy.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Golden-tailed Woodborer is a dark-bodied bee with a metallic luster. It has a distinctive tuft of dense, golden-yellow hairs at the tip of its abdomen, giving it its 'golden tail' appearance. Its body is slender, often resembling a wasp.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyMegachilidaeGenusLithurgus
Golden-tailed Woodborer
solitary trait badgecamouflaged trait badgecolorful trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Golden-tailed Woodborer

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Despite looking like a wasp, this fuzzy insect is actually a gentle bee.

Their striking golden tail hairs shimmer, helping them stand out in nature!

These clever bees lay their eggs inside tiny tunnels already made in wood.

They're called "resin bees" because they build nests from sticky tree sap!

Special abilities

Ability

Resin Sculptor

Golden-tailed Woodborer can collect and sculpt plant resins because it has specialized mandibles that help it shape sticky resin into nest structures.

Ability

Pollen Powerhouse

The Golden-tailed Woodborer has special hairs on its legs and body that help them collect pollen, which is crucial for feeding their young.

Ability

Nesting Ingenuity

The Golden-tailed Woodborer can create safe nurseries for its young because it nests in pre-existing holes in wood or stems, sealing them with resin.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
15-21 mm
Size
10-14 mm
Lifespan
30-90 days
Flight Speed
10-15 km/h
Leg Count
6
Colony Size
1

Diet & Feeding

These bees drink flower nectar for energy and gather pollen to feed their babies.

Age differences: Larvae eat pollen paste, adults drink nectar.

Primary Foods

  • Nectar
  • Pollen
  • Thistle nectar
  • Sunflower pollen

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eats

Yellow Starthistle

Centaurea solstitialis

collects pollen and nectar

depends on

Scots Pine

Pinus sylvestris

collects resin for nest building

eaten by

European Garden Spider

Araneus diadematus

might get caught in webs

eaten by

Great Tit

Parus major

forages for insects

parasitizes

Red-footed Cuckoo Bee

Coelioxys rufescens

lays eggs in its nests

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Don't touch insects without asking an adult first, as some can bite.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Golden-tailed Woodborer's wingspan?

15-21 mm

How big is Golden-tailed Woodborer?

10-14 mm

How long does Golden-tailed Woodborer live?

30-90 days

How fast can Golden-tailed Woodborer fly?

10-15 km/h

What does Golden-tailed Woodborer eat?

These bees drink flower nectar for energy and gather pollen to feed their babies.

Where is Golden-tailed Woodborer usually found?

Forests

How does Golden-tailed Woodborer hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Golden-tailed Woodborer have?

6

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