Xylocopa varipuncta

Valley carpenter bee
Male Xylocopa varipuncta
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Apidae
Genus:	Xylocopa
Species:	X. varipuncta
Binomial name
Xylocopa varipuncta Patton, 1879

The Valley carpenter bee, Xylocopa varipuncta, is one of three species of carpenter bee found in Southern California and north through the Central Valley and in Phoenix, Az. Females are a metallic black while males are fuzzy and gold with green eyes. They are the largest bees found in California,^[1] growing to around 1 in (2.5 cm) in length.

Taxonomy

These large, hairy bees are named for the Central Valley in which they are commonly found, and for their ability to burrow into, and make their nests in, hardwood and telephone poles.^[1][2][3]

Other species

There are two other species of carpenter bee found in the same areas of California & Arizona: Xylocopa tabaniformis orpifex and Xylocopa californica.

Pollination

The size of carpenter bees prevents them from entering tubelike flowers, instead they cut into the base of the corolla. This is referred to as “stealing the nectar” as it does not result in the bee being able to pollinate the flower.^[3] They are helpful in pollinating native plants and shrubs.

Sting

Only the females of the species have a stinger, and will only normally sting when provoked.^[3][4]

Nests

The bees tunnel through wood with their mandibles, although they do not ingest the wood in the process. The tunnels average 6 to 10 in (15 to 25 cm) in length and consist of a linear series of partitioned cells.^[1][3] They prefer untreated or unpainted wood. The adult bees spend the winter in the tunnels.

Gallery

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  male

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  A pollen-covered female on a Passionflower

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  female

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  male

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Xylocopa varipuncta.

References