Carpenter Bee

Order/family: Hymenoptera/Anthophoridae

Scientific Name: Xylocopa app.

Description: At 1/2” to 1” long, carpenter bees are large, robust insects that resemble bumble bees. They differ from bumble bees in that they have a bare, shiny black abdomen rather than the hairy “fuzzy” abdomen with yellow markings of bumble bees. The male carpenter bee is identified by a bright yellow spot in the middle of the head, behaves aggressively, but lacks a stinger and is harmless. The female however can sting and will if the nest is disturbed.