Facultatively-social
Guides
Xylocopa virginica
Eastern Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa virginica, the Eastern Carpenter Bee, is a large, facultatively social carpenter bee native to eastern North America. It is distinguished by sexual dimorphism: males have a prominent white facial patch while females have entirely black faces. The species nests by excavating tunnels in wood, creating brood galleries that are later reused by other solitary Hymenoptera. Unlike truly eusocial bees, X. virginica forms linear dominance hierarchies where one female monopolizes reproduction and foraging while subordinates queue for replacement opportunities. Climate, particularly the length of the active season, limits its northern range extent.
Xylocopa virginica virginica
Virginia Carpenter Bee, Eastern Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa virginica virginica is a large carpenter bee native to eastern North America. It is facultatively social, forming small colonies with linear dominance hierarchies where one female monopolizes both reproduction and foraging. Females excavate tunnels in wood to create brood galleries, provisioning cells with bee bread (pollen and nectar mixture). Males defend nest-side territories and mate in early spring, then die; females may live two years. The subspecies is distinguished by the nominate form's distribution and morphology.