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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies (Hymenoptera) » Aculeata - Ants, Bees and Stinging Wasps » Apoidea (clade Anthophila) - Bees » Cuckoo, Carpenter, Digger, Bumble, and Honey Bees (Apidae) » Carpenter and Small carpenter Bees (Xylocopinae) » Large Carpenter Bees (Xylocopa) » Subgenus Schonnherria (Xylocopa Subgenus Schonnherria) » Southern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa micans)
Photo#42582
Another Strange Xylocopa from Florida - Xylocopa micans - male
Copyright © 2006 Sean McCann

Another Strange Xylocopa from Florida - Xylocopa micans - Male
Vero Beach, Indian River County, Florida, USA
February 10, 2006
Size: 3cm

Images of this individual: tag all
Another Strange Xylocopa from Florida - Xylocopa micans - male Another Strange Xylocopa from Florida - Xylocopa micans - male Another Strange Xylocopa from Florida - Xylocopa micans - male
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Contributed by Sean McCann on 11 February, 2006 - 11:31am
Last updated 11 February, 2006 - 9:55pm

Great shots
I've noticed this past week at the bush where I take my pics one of these. Whereas the other bees and insects go about their business, this one is very agressive. So much so it won't even let me stand there let alone take photos.
Carla Finley
Venice, FL
http://community.webshots.com/user/CarlaFinley
… Carla Finley, 20 March, 2006 - 8:00am login or register to post comments

 
Territory
My guess at this is that the male stakes out a territory near some nice flowers. Then he defends it from other males and larger creatures, taking the opportunity to mate with females attracted to the flowers. He will periodically need to take some nectar himself, but I think this is why they make their presence known when someone comes around. The males of course have no sting, so it is all a bluff.
-Sean McCann


triatoma.blogspot.com
… Sean McCann, 20 March, 2006 - 8:53am login or register to post comments

 
Bluffed
I was bluffed. He comes right to within 6 inches of my face and after a few times of this, I give up trying to photograph anything. Good thing he doesn't sting. Thanks for the info.
Carla Finley
Venice, FL
http://community.webshots.com/user/CarlaFinley
… Carla Finley, 20 March, 2006 - 10:21am login or register to post comments

Very nice
Great images, awesome bee. Are they common around here? I have never seen a bee like that in our area.
Could this be a X. micans male?
Maybe this is similar to my CA bee question.
… Jeff Hollenbeck, 11 February, 2006 - 12:36pm login or register to post comments

 
probably.
It could very well be. It seems to match very well with these images:http://pick4.pick.uga.edu/mp/20q?search=Xylocopa+micans&guide=Xylocopa. That would mean that this is also likely a male:.
-Sean McCann
You can see some more of my photos at triatoma.blogspot.com
… Sean McCann, 11 February, 2006 - 9:45pm login or register to post comments

 
yep
After seeing this site, I am certainly going to go with Xylocopa micans male. This site: http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/misc/bees/xylocopa.htm lists only two species in Florida, and the greenish blue metallic abdomen and large size confirms it. I am going to move this. Let me know if here are any objections.
-Sean McCann
You can see some more of my photos at triatoma.blogspot.com
… Sean McCann, 11 February, 2006 - 9:53pm login or register to post comments

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