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Violet Carpenter Bee

Xylocopa violacea

The Violet Carpenter Bee is a big, fuzzy bee that loves to buzz around flowers. They are great at helping plants grow by spreading pollen while they collect nectar.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Violet Carpenter Bee is a large, robust bee with a shiny, metallic, dark blue-violet body and dark, iridescent wings that can appear purplish in sunlight. Unlike fuzzy bumblebees, its abdomen is smooth and hairless.

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

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Adults can live for an entire year, much longer than many other types of bees!

Male Violet Carpenter Bees cannot sting at all, only the females can if threatened!

These big bees can make a home by drilling perfect round tunnels in dead wood!

Violet Carpenter Bees are some of the biggest bees in Europe, making them easy to spot!

Special abilities

Ability

Wood Architect

Violet Carpenter Bee can bore smooth, cylindrical tunnels in dead wood using its strong mandibles because this creates a safe nest for its offspring.

Ability

Vibration Pollinator

Violet Carpenter Bee can buzz pollinate flowers by vibrating its body that helps release hidden pollen from tricky blossoms.

Ability

Agile Aviator

Violet Carpenter Bee has powerful wings that help it fly quickly and navigate intricate flower patterns with precision.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
40-55 mm
Size
25-30 mm
Lifespan
300-365 days
Flight Speed
12 km/h
Leg Count
6
Colony Size
1

Diet & Feeding

This bee sips sweet nectar for energy and collects pollen for strength, like a tiny flying vegetarian!

Primary Foods

  • Nectar
  • Pollen
  • Lavender
  • Wisteria
  • Borage

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

pollinates

Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia

Provides essential nectar and pollen for the bee.

pollinates

Chinese Wisteria

Wisteria sinensis

A key food source, often 'nectar robbed' from the side.

eaten by

European Bee-eater

Merops apiaster

A bird known for preying on various large insects, including bees.

eaten by

Woodchat Shrike

Lanius senator

A predatory bird that hunts large insects and impales them.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

If you see a bee, watch it from a distance and don't try to touch it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Violet Carpenter Bee's wingspan?

40-55 mm

How big is Violet Carpenter Bee?

25-30 mm

How long does Violet Carpenter Bee live?

300-365 days

How fast can Violet Carpenter Bee fly?

12 km/h

What does Violet Carpenter Bee eat?

This bee sips sweet nectar for energy and collects pollen for strength, like a tiny flying vegetarian!

Where is Violet Carpenter Bee usually found?

Forests

How does Violet Carpenter Bee hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Violet Carpenter Bee have?

6

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