Southern Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa micans
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Hymenoptera
- Family: Apidae
- Subfamily: Xylocopinae
- Genus: Xylocopa
- Species: micans
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Xylocopa micans: /zaɪˈlɒkəpə ˈmaɪkənz/
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Summary
Xylocopa micans, the southern carpenter bee, is a solitary bee adept at excavating nests in wood, found predominantly in southeastern US regions and neighboring countries. Its unique mating strategies and lesser economic impact make it a fascinating subject within its genus.
Physical Characteristics
Male has a greenish-blue abdomen and females have a black body with purple tinges. The body is generally metallic black and reflects light with blue or green tinges. Both sexes have distinctive pubescence with males being brightly yellow and densely covered.
Identification Tips
Males can be differentiated from X. virginica by their greenish-blue abdomen; females of X. micans differ as they have sparse dark pubescence on the scutum and scutellum, while males have bright-yellow pubescence.
Habitat
Nests are excavated in woody plant material, typically in dead wood. Found in warm coastal and gulf regions, thriving in areas where nesting sites in dead wood are available.
Distribution
Southeastern United States from Virginia to Florida, extending west to Texas, and occurrences in Mexico and Guatemala. Has been found as far north as Prairie County, Arkansas.
Diet
Nectarivores; they visit various flowers for nectar, sometimes biting through the base of the flower to access it. They are general pollinators and possess abilities for buzz pollination.
Life Cycle
Life cycle duration from egg to adult takes approximately seven weeks, with adults typically emerging in early spring.
Reproduction
Polymorphic mating strategy, alternating between resource defense polygyny in spring and lek polygyny later in the season. Nests contain several brood cells, each provisioned with pollen and nectar for the developing larva.
Ecosystem Role
Key pollinator for several plant species in their habitat; they play an important role in pollination as generalists.
Economic Impact
Less economically significant than Xylocopa virginica as they do not bore into structural timbers commonly utilized in human infrastructure.
Evolution
Belongs to the subgenus Schonnherria, with a possible evolutionary split from a South American ancestor during Pleistocene glacial events. Demonstrates a transitional evolution between mating strategies in its genus, indicating evolutionary development towards sexual dimorphism.
Misconceptions
Commonly mistaken for more economically impactful species such as Xylocopa virginica due to similar morphology.
Tags
- Xylocopa micans
- southern carpenter bee
- pollinator
- bees
- Hymenoptera
- entomology