Hobbies And Interests
Identification
Carpenter bees are relatively large bees, measuring up to 1 inch in length. Many, however, are smaller and are a similar size to bumble bees. Although carpenter bee species may have yellow or orange hairs on the front portion of their bodies and their heads, most of their bodies are black and shiny. Male and female carpenter bees from the same species can also vary in appearance. For example, male bees belonging to the species Xylocopa virginica have white markings on their heads while the female of this species has an entirely black head. Carpenter bees have a thick covering of hair on their back legs.
Defensive Behavior
Male carpenter bees are territorial when animals or humans approach their nests. They may fly at animals or humans and hover close to them. This can cause panic and intimidation. However, males are unable to sting. Female carpenter bees can sting but usually only do so if they feel extremely threatened.
Nesting Habits
Carpenter bees create nests by tunneling into wood. The type of wood that carpenter bees nest in varies between species. While many species tunnel into the trunks and branches of dead trees, other species such as Xylocopa virginica can create nests in man-made wooden structures. For example, carpenter bees may tunnel into fascia boards, railings, eaves or fence posts, particularly if the wood is soft and has not been treated. Female carpenter bees construct nests by excavating the wood with their large, strong jaws. The entrance hole is usually around half an inch in diameter and leads to between six and eight further chambers where the bee will lay eggs. Besides being used for raising young, these nests serve as hibernation chambers for adult carpenter bees.
Reproductive Behavior
Carpenter bees mate once they have woken from their hibernation in April or May. Mating habits vary between species. Groups of males belonging to the Xylocopa varipuncta species gather on flowers and release a floral scent which attracts female mates to them. Once the bees have mated, the female creates chambers for her young to develop in by depositing a small amount of pollen and regurgitated nectar in the brood chamber, laying an egg on top of this food supply and sealing the cell with wood pulp. Each carpenter bee egg can be as large as 0.6 inches in diameter. Once the cell has been completed, she repeats the process until the tunnels inside her nest are full of cells containing eggs. The female bee dies once she has completed this task. Once the carpenter bees' eggs have hatched, the larvae eat the pollen and regurgitated nectar and develop into adult bees. Once this has happened, the bees chew their way out of their cells and leave the nest in August.