Xylocopa californica californica

Pronunciation

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

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

Images

Summary

Xylocopa californica californica, or the California carpenter bee, is a solitary pollinator primarily found in Western North America, known for its distinctive physical traits and foraging behavior. It plays a crucial role in pollinating native flora and showcases unique adaptations to high-temperature environments.

Physical Characteristics

Xylocopa californica is all black with bluish/greenish reflections, measuring 13–30 mm in length. Females have bigger heads than males, with black hair, while males have yellowish hair. They possess dark wings without stigma.

Identification Tips

The head is larger and thicker than the thorax. Females have more narrow heads and black hair, while males have light hairs on the pronotum and abdomen.

Habitat

Typically found in California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Northwestern Mexico; prefers chaparral, woodlands, and desert environments.

Distribution

Commonly found in Northern and Central California, with records in Oregon, Nevada, and parts of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Especially abundant in the Central Valley and Southern California.

Diet

Prefers nectar and pollen, specifically from creosotebush (Larrea tridentata) and mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa), often robbing nectar from flowers such as ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens).

Life Cycle

Mating occurs in midair, and females only mate once. Nests are carved in wood, where they lay eggs and provide larval food from stored pollen and nectar.

Reproduction

Mating behavior includes aggressive male competition and hovering near nesting sites. Females mate only once in their lifetime, leading to strong selective pressure among males.

Predators

Ladder-backed woodpecker (Dendrocopos scalaria) and bee fly (Anthrax simson) are known predators; honey bees (Apis mellifera) may negatively impact X. californica populations.

Ecosystem Role

As important pollinators of various native plant species in California, especially in chaparral and desert ecosystems.

Economic Impact

Beneficial insects that contribute to the pollination of agricultural crops and native plants.

Health Concerns

Infection by the fungus Ascosphaera apis may occur, though they are not natural hosts. They can be affected if they come into contact with plants visited by infected honey bees.

Misconceptions

California carpenter bees are often confused with honey bees; however, they do not possess a stinger and exhibit different foraging behaviors.

Tags

• Insecta
• Hymenoptera
• Apidae
• Pollinator
• California
• Wood-nesting