Xylocopa californica diamesa

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Xylocopa californica diamesa: /zɪˈlɒkəpə kælɪˈfɔːrnɪkə daɪəˈmiːsə/

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Summary

Xylocopa californica diamesa is a subspecies of the California carpenter bee, notable for its ecological role as a pollinator in desert and woodland habitats of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. It exhibits unique foraging behavior and adaptations to high-temperature environments.

Physical Characteristics

All black with bluish/greenish reflections; females have larger, more narrow heads than males; males have light hairs on the pronotum and abdominal segments; dark wings without stigma; size ranges from 13 to 30 mm long.

Identification Tips

Look for larger size, all black coloration, and either yellowish hairs in males or black hairs in females. Males exhibit light hairs on the pronotum and abdomen which can help distinguish them from females.

Habitat

Primarily found in woodlands, chaparral areas, and desert regions, particularly in southern California and the Mojave Desert.

Distribution

Native to western North America, typically found in California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Northwestern Mexico. Outlying records exist in Montana, Kansas, and Louisiana.

Diet

Primarily nectar and pollen, with a preference for specific pollen sources such as creosotebush (Larrea tridentata) and mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa).

Life Cycle

Adult carpenter bees exhibit various mating behaviors, with females mating only once in their lifetime. They dig nests in wood and depend on available pollen and nectar for successful reproduction.

Reproduction

Mating involves hovering, chasing away other males, and a brief struggle midair for copulation. They build T-shaped nests in substrates like live or dead wood, using their mandibles to excavate.

Predators

Ladder-backed woodpecker (Dendrocopos scalaria) and bee fly (Anthrax simson) are known predators. Honey bees (Apis mellifera) can negatively impact their populations.

Ecosystem Role

Important pollinators of a variety of native plant species in California, contributing to ecological balance and agriculture.

Economic Impact

They are beneficial insects due to their pollination activities, which enhance plant reproduction and agricultural yields.

Health Concerns

Potentially impacted by Ascosphaera apis fungus, often associated with honey bees, but the larva's form differs from that seen in honey bees.

Misconceptions

Many may confuse them with honey bees or other non-carpenter bee species due to their similar habitats and foraging behaviors.

Tags

• Xylocopa californica
• carpenter bee
• pollination
• southern California
• native species