ExploreInsects

Strand's Carpenter Bee

Xylocopa strandi

Strand's Carpenter Bee is a big, fuzzy bee that loves to make its home in wood. These bees are important for helping flowers grow by spreading pollen as they fly from plant to plant.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Strand's Carpenter Bee is a large, robust bee with a shiny, often iridescent metallic blue-black or greenish-black body. Its abdomen is smooth and mostly hairless, distinguishing it from fuzzy bumblebees. It also has dark, translucent wings.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyApidaeGenusXylocopa
Strand's Carpenter Bee
furry trait badgesolitary trait badgeherbivorous trait badgepollinator_magnet trait badge
Strand's Carpenter Bee

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Adult Strand's Carpenter Bees often survive winter by hiding inside their wooden tunnels.

Male Strand's Carpenter Bees often have a distinct yellow patch on their face!

Mom Strand's Carpenter Bee packs pollen meals for each baby inside their wooden tunnel.

They sometimes 'nectar rob' flowers, taking food without pollinating. Sneaky!

Special abilities

Ability

Woodworking Whiz

Strand's Carpenter Bee can chew tunnels into wood using its powerful mandibles, creating safe nests for its offspring.

Ability

Vibration Pollinator

Strand's Carpenter Bee has a unique 'buzz pollination' ability, shaking flowers to release hidden pollen that helps plants reproduce.

Ability

Swift Navigator

Strand's Carpenter Bee has powerful wing muscles, allowing it to fly quickly and efficiently between flowers, gathering nectar and pollen.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
35-50 mm
Size
20-25 mm
Lifespan
300-365 days
Flight Speed
20 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Strand's Carpenter Bees sip nectar from flowers for energy and collect pollen for their babies.

Primary Foods

  • Nectar
  • Pollen
  • Floral oils

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

pollinates

Passion Fruit

Passiflora edulis

Helps this fruit plant produce its tasty fruits.

eaten by

European Bee-eater

Merops apiaster

A swift bird that catches them in mid-air for a meal.

shelters

Sweet Thorn

Vachellia karroo

Uses its dead wood for nesting tunnels to raise its young.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Don't touch bees, but watch them from a distance. They are usually friendly!

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Strand's Carpenter Bee?

The easiest way to identify Strand's Carpenter Bee is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

What is Strand's Carpenter Bee's wingspan?

35-50 mm

How big is Strand's Carpenter Bee?

20-25 mm

How long does Strand's Carpenter Bee live?

300-365 days

How fast can Strand's Carpenter Bee fly?

20 km/h

What does Strand's Carpenter Bee eat?

Strand's Carpenter Bees sip nectar from flowers for energy and collect pollen for their babies.

Where is Strand's Carpenter Bee usually found?

Forests

How does Strand's Carpenter Bee hunt?

Foraging

Snap Map

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