Introduction of Carpenter Bee
Carpenter bees, also known as wood-boring bees, are a type of large, solitary bee that is found throughout the world. They are named for their habit of digging into the wood to create their nests, which can cause damage to structures such as homes, decks, and fences.
Appearance
- The carpenter bee is a large and robust bee that has a unique appearance. They can grow up to 24mm in length.
- They have a shiny, black, and metallic appearance that makes them easily recognizable.
- The carpenter bee is often mistaken for a bumblebee, but it can be distinguished by its larger size and lack of yellow markings on its abdomen.
- The carpenter bee has a broad and chunky body, with a head that is wider than its thorax.
- The male carpenter bee has a distinctive white patch of hair on its face.
- The female carpenter bee has a dark face and glossy black thorax.
Life Cycle
- Female carpenter bees excavate galleries in wood to lay their eggs. They lay one egg in each gallery, along with provisions of nectar and pollen for the larvae to feed on.
- The eggs hatch into larvae, which feed on the provisions stored in the gallery. They grow and develop over several weeks, molting several times as they mature.
- When the larvae have fully developed, they pupate within the gallery. During this stage, they undergo metamorphosis and transform into adult bees.
- Once the pupal stage is complete, the adult bees emerge from the galleries and mate.
- Males die shortly after mating, while females live for several months, during which time they excavate more galleries to lay their eggs.
- During the winter months, carpenter bees become inactive and enter a state of dormancy.
- New adult carpenter bees leave the nest at the end of August.
Habits
- Carpenter bees are solitary insects that build their nests in wood. They use their powerful jaws to bore holes into wood and create tunnels for their eggs and provisions.
- Unlike many other bees, carpenter bees are known for their aggressive behaviour.
- Carpenter bees are most active during the spring and summer months. During the winter, they become inactive and remain inside their nests until the warmer weather returns.
- After the larvae have developed into adult bees, they emerge from the nest and leave to find a mate and start the cycle again. The nests are then abandoned, and the female bees will not return to the same nest.
- Carpenter bees can cause significant damage to wood structures, as they dig tunnels and create holes in the wood.