Xylocopa appendiculata

Belongs to subgenus Alloxylocopa Hurd and Moure; diagnostic features for this subgenus and species are documented in Smith-Pardo et al. (2020) to enable identification and reporting to authorities. As a large carpenter bee, it likely shares traits with congeners: robust body, shiny hairless abdomen (distinct from the hairy abdomen of bumble bees), and sexual dimorphism typical of the genus.

Native to eastern Asia; established in northern California, USA since 2013. Potential distribution in the contiguous United States has been estimated using plant hardiness zones and maximum entropy (Maxent) modeling based on specimen records from literature, museum collections, Discover Life.org, and iNaturalist.org.

Introduced species in North America with established population in California; monitoring and identification encouraged for potential management. First non-native carpenter bee documented in the USA.

• Xylocopa sonorinaBoth large carpenter bees in California; X. sonorina is native to western North America and distinguished by distribution and likely morphological differences
• Xylocopa tabaniformisBoth large carpenter bees with overlapping range in California; X. tabaniformis is native and belongs to different subgenus
• Xylocopa varipunctaNative Valley carpenter bee in California; males have distinctive green eyes and blond coloration not reported for X. appendiculata
• Xylocopa virginicaEastern North American native; similar size and nesting biology but geographically separated from established X. appendiculata population

• carpenter bee
• introduced species
• invasive potential
• pollinator
• wood-nesting bee
• Alloxylocopa
• California
• Asia
• distribution modeling
• Maxent

• BugGuide
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Innovative Research by RSPIB Scholar: Surprising Find About Carpenter Bees | Bug Squad
• Sold on the Salvia | Bug Squad
• Carpenter Bee: Beneficial Insect or Pest? | Bug Squad
• 'P' is for People, Partners and Pollinators! | Bug Squad
• Bumble bee, carpenter bee, he bee, she bee: Bombus spp., Xylocopa spp. — Bug of the Week
• Bumble bee, carpenter bee, redux: Bombus spp. and Xylocopa spp. — Bug of the Week
• Status and potential distribution of the Asian carpenter bee, Xylocopa appendiculata Smith (Apidae, Xylocopini), in the United States
• Figure 2 from: Smith-Pardo AH, Fowler GA, Kumar S (2020) Status and potential distribution of the Asian carpenter bee, Xylocopa appendiculata Smith (Apidae, Xylocopini), in the United States. Journal of Hymenoptera Research 76: 99-111. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.76.49518
• Figure A1 from: Smith-Pardo AH, Fowler GA, Kumar S (2020) Status and potential distribution of the Asian carpenter bee, Xylocopa appendiculata Smith (Apidae, Xylocopini), in the United States. Journal of Hymenoptera Research 76: 99-111. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.76.49518
• Figure A2 from: Smith-Pardo AH, Fowler GA, Kumar S (2020) Status and potential distribution of the Asian carpenter bee, Xylocopa appendiculata Smith (Apidae, Xylocopini), in the United States. Journal of Hymenoptera Research 76: 99-111. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.76.49518
• Figure 1 from: Smith-Pardo AH, Fowler GA, Kumar S (2020) Status and potential distribution of the Asian carpenter bee, Xylocopa appendiculata Smith (Apidae, Xylocopini), in the United States. Journal of Hymenoptera Research 76: 99-111. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.76.49518
• Polymorphism in the deutonymph and adult ofSennertia alfkeni(Acari: Chaetodactylidae) associated with the large carpenter bee,Xylocopa appendiculata circumvolans(Hymenoptera: Apidae)
• Figure 3 from: Smith-Pardo AH, Fowler GA, Kumar S (2020) Status and potential distribution of the Asian carpenter bee, Xylocopa appendiculata Smith (Apidae, Xylocopini), in the United States. Journal of Hymenoptera Research 76: 99-111. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.76.49518