Xylocopa griswoldi

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Apidae
Subfamily: Xylocopinae
Genus: Xylocopa
Species: griswoldi

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Xylocopa griswoldi: //zaɪˈlɒkəpə ɡrɪzˈwəʊldi//

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Summary

Xylocopa griswoldi is a recently described species of carpenter bee named in honor of bee expert Terry Griswold. They are found primarily from Texas to Veracruz, burrowing into hard plant materials to create nests. They are important pollinators, known for their nesting behavior in dead wood and bamboo.

Physical Characteristics

Carpenter bees are generally all black or primarily black with some yellow or white pubescence. Males are sometimes covered in greenish-yellow fur. Their wing venation is distinctive, with a narrow and elongated marginal cell in the front wing. The male eyes are significantly larger than those of the females, which is associated with mating behavior.

Identification Tips

Can be identified by wing color, shape of the scutellum, and their distribution from Texas to Veracruz. Non-professionals commonly confuse them with bumblebees, but carpenter bees usually have shiny abdomens, while bumblebee abdomens are densely hairy.

Habitat

Typically burrow into hard plant materials such as dead wood or bamboo, nesting in a variety of hard plant materials.

Distribution

Found from Texas to Veracruz, Mexico.

Diet

Feed on nectar and pollen from flowers; some species are important pollinators while others exhibit nectar robbing behavior.

Life Cycle

Females usually create nests and lay eggs, while sometimes living alongside their daughters or sisters. They create tunnels that serve as nurseries for their brood.

Reproduction

Life cycle involves female foraging and nurturing the larvae, with some species exhibiting solitary behavior while others can show simple social nesting.

Predators

Natural predators include woodpeckers, various species of birds such as shrikes and bee-eaters, some mammals like ratels, and large mantises. Parasitoidal flies may also lay eggs in the nests.

Ecosystem Role

Important pollinators for certain plant species and contribute to the ecosystem by nesting in a variety of materials, which can facilitate decomposition processes.

Economic Impact

Carpenter bees can be pests, causing structural damage to wood if infestations are not controlled, particularly in buildings and furniture.

Health Concerns

Females can sting, but they are generally docile and rarely sting unless provoked.

Evolution

Belong to the genus Xylocopa, which includes about 500 species across 31 subgenera, showcasing a wide range of adaptations.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

Often confused with bumblebees; carpenter bees exhibit a shiny abdomen, while bumblebees have dense hair on theirs. Also often misidentified in literature and reports.