# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Golden-tailed Woodborer](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Lithurgus_chrysurus.jpg&width=800) Photo: John Baker, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lithurgus_chrysurus.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Megachilidae - **Genus:** Lithurgus ## 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 - **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. - **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. - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — forages for insects - **Parasitizes:** Red-footed Cuckoo Bee (*Coelioxys rufescens*) — lays eggs in its nests ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Don't touch insects without asking an adult first, as some can bite. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Golden-tailed Woodborer? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Golden-tailed Woodborer: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/golden-tailed-woodborer)