Eastern Carpenter Bee
Scientific Name: Xylocopa virginica
Category: insect
Brief Description
A large, robust solitary bee often seen hovering near eaves or feeding on flowers.
Characteristics
Large size (19-23 mm), fuzzy yellow thorax, and a notably shiny, black, hairless upper abdomen.
Habitat
Found in parks, gardens, and edges of forests where dead wood or unpainted softwoods are available for nesting.
When to Find It
Diurnal; most active from spring through late summer.
Conservation Status
Common / Stable
Ecological Role
An important generalist pollinator, though they often engage in 'nectar robbing' by piercing the base of flowers.
Easily Confused With
Bumblebees (Bombus spp.), which have hairy, fuzzy abdomens rather than the shiny, bald abdomen of the carpenter bee.
Observation Tips
Look for them hovering near wooden structures or visiting large open flowers like dandelions and sunflowers. Use a fast shutter speed to capture their flight.
Interesting Facts
Unlike honeybees, carpenter bees are solitary. Females excavate tunnels in wood to lay eggs, while males are territorial but cannot sting.