California Carpenter Bee

Xylocopa californica

Classification

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Xylocopa californica: //ˌzaɪlɵˈkoʊpə ˌkælɪˈfɔrnɪkə//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Xylocopa californica arizonensis 255804469 by Wendy McCrady. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.
Xylocopa californica diamesa 280245692 by Aaron Hamel. Used under a CC0 license.
Western Carpenter Bee (Apidae, Xylocopa californica) (28179490850) by Insects Unlocked . Used under a CC0 license.
Western Carpenter Bee (Apidae, Xylocopa californica) (28384081021) by Insects Unlocked . Used under a CC0 license.
Sennertia segnis on host BMOC 04-1222-155 by Photo by Pavel Klimov, Bee Mite ID (idtools.org/id/mites/beemites) unless otherwise stated in description.. Used under a Public domain license.
Xylocopa californica arizonensis 255804469 by Wendy McCrady. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Summary

The California carpenter bee is a species of carpenter bee found in western North America, known for its all-black body with bluish reflections and significant pollination role in various ecosystems.

Physical Characteristics

Typically large carpenter bee, 20-25 mm long; all black with bluish/greenish reflections; male has lighter markings on the pronotum; the head is larger and thicker than the thorax.

Identification Tips

Compare other Carpenter bees in range, such as X. varipuncta. Female carpenter bees have bigger heads than males with more narrow heads. The male typically has light hairs on the pronotum and abdominal segments.

Habitat

Forests and nearby meadows; native to desert regions.

Distribution

Found in California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Northwestern Mexico, with outlying records in Montana, Kansas, and Louisiana.

Diet

Prefer nectar and pollen, specifically from creosotebush (Larrea tridentata) and mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa).

Life Cycle

Life cycle includes both an adult phase that forages and a larval stage in nests dug in wood or plant stems.

Reproduction

Females only mate once in their lifetime; mating behaviors include hovering and territorial displays by males.

Predators

Ladder-backed woodpecker (Dendrocopos scalaria); bee fly (Anthrax simson) parasitizes nests. Honey bee (Apis mellifera) may negatively impact populations.

Ecosystem Role

Agriculturally beneficial pollinators of diverse plant species including California chaparral and woodland.

Health Concerns

May be infected with the fungus Ascosphaera apis after visiting infected plants but is not a natural host.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

Mistakenly perceived as aggressive; do not have a stinger.

Tags

  • California Carpenter Bee
  • Xylocopa californica
  • pollinator
  • Hymenoptera
  • endothermic insect