Large gold bee in California - Xylocopa sonorina

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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 Neoxylocopa (Xylocopa Subgenus Neoxylocopa) » Valley Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa sonorina)

Photo#15926

Copyright © 2005 Melinda Bessett

Large gold bee in California - Xylocopa sonorina -

Southern California, in the northwest portion of the San Fernando Valley., Los Angeles County, California, USA
April 28, 2005
Size: approximate 1 inch

The bee was sitting on a towel on the patio of my condo. It appeared to be deliberately digging in it's 'claws' for a firm hold. It raised and lowered it's abdomin several times. Still there after about an hour. After taking a picture with a ruler next to the bee for reference, I tried to shake it loose from the towel (it is a threat to my small dog), but it would not release the towel, even when the towel was shaken. I did not kill the bee, but I did toss the towel over the patio, to protect my dog.

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Contributed by Melinda Bessett on 29 April, 2005 - 5:50pm
Last updated 20 July, 2014 - 11:18pm

I wonder...

...if the claws (tarsi?) on the bee's feet where caught in the towell fibers keeping it from flying off...

… Tony DiTerlizzi, 29 April, 2005 - 7:46pm

Male Carpenter bee

In searching online, I think I have identified this as a male carpenter bee, largest bee found in California.

… Melinda Bessett, 1 May, 2005 - 10:16am

Male Carpenter Bee

In searching online, I think I have identified this bee as a male California Carpenter bee. I've lived in Southern California all my life and have never seen one before. It's size and color are quite alarming, but I learned they do not live in a hive, do not swarm, and the male has no stinger.

… Melinda Bessett, 1 May, 2005 - 10:15am

I think I identified it

After searching (google-ing) the internet, I think I found that this is a male California Carpenter Bee, which has no stinger. It certainly matched the description. I think you are probably correct about the tarsi being caught on the towel, although it seemed to be a deliberate behavior. I (bravely) retrieved the towel this morning, and the bee was gone.

… Melinda Bessett, 30 April, 2005 - 3:49pm

Male Valley carpenter bee.

This is a male valley carpenter bee, Xylocopa varipuncta. Females are totally black. In Xylocopa californica, both sexes are the same color. You are forgiven for being overly cautious:-)

… Eric R. Eaton, 2 May, 2005 - 4:30pm

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