|
Genus Xylocopa - Large Carpenter Bees
Classification Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
No Taxon (Aculeata - Bees, Ants, and other Stinging Wasps)
No Taxon (Anthophila (Apoidea) - Bees)
Family Apidae (Cuckoo, Carpenter, Digger, Bumble, and Honey Bees)
Subfamily Xylocopinae (Carpenter Bees)
Genus Xylocopa (Large Carpenter Bees)
Other Common Names Carpenter Bees Explanation of Names Author of genus is Latreille, 1802. From Greek xylon, wood, plus -kopos (from Greek koptein, cut) (1) (2). Numbers 10 North American species in genus-- Nearctica.com
Arnett, pp. 607-608 lists 14 species (3)
Ebeling lists seven species. Identification Carpenter bees have largely naked abdomens, separating them from Bumblebees. The genus Xylocopa can be differentiated from the other common (?) North American genus in this subfamily by size: " Ceratina are less than 8 mm in length, whereas Xylocopa are 20 mm or larger." (See Univ. of Florida on genus.) Range One species, X. virginica, is widespread in east. X. micans is found in southeast. California Carpenter Bee, X. californica, Valley Carpenter Bee, X. varipunctata, and Mountain Carpenter Bee, X. tabaniformis, are western.
Habitat Found on flowers and about nest sites in woody plants. Season Early spring-late fall in temperate areas. Adults overwinter Food visits a wide range of pollen and nectar sources. Well known as a nectar robber. Life Cycle Burrow into wood, forming a series of chambers, typically 6-8. Each is provisioned with pollen (mixed with regurgitated nectar), a single egg is laid, and then capped with a disk of wood pulp. Chamber is sealed and adult does not return. Adults also reported to use abandoned tunnels and other cavities to store pollen before hibernation. Usually one generation per year, but may be two in south. See Also Bumblebees:
Carpenter-mimic Leafcutter: 
Giant Resin Bee: 
Mexican Cactus Fly:  Print References The Century Dictionary gives origin of name. (1)
Gordh, gives origin of presumed roots of name. (2)
Powell and Hogue, p. 352, fig. 457--discuss three California species. (4)Internet References Univ. of Florida describes life history, range and identification of the two eastern species.
Univ. Florida--PDF fact sheet, like above.
Urban Entomology--Walter Ebeling, Univ. California--good discussion of western species.
Works Cited | 2. | A Dictionary of Entomology
By George Gordh, David H. Headrick | |
| 4. | California Insects
By Jerry A. Powell, Charles L. Hogue |  |
|
|
|
|
