Hundreds of species of carpenter bees exist across the world, all within the xylocopa genus. The genus includes some 500 bees in 31 subgenera. The common name, carpenter bee, derives from their nesting behavior; nearly all species burrow into hard plant material such as dead wood or bamboo. The main exceptions are the species which dig nesting tunnels in suitable soil.
Characteristics
Many species in this enormous genus are difficult to tell apart. Most of them are all black, or primarily black with some yellow or white color on their bodies. Males of some species differ confusingly from the females, being covered in greenish-yellow “fur”.
Non-professionals commonly confuse carpenter bees with bumblebees. The simplest rule of thumb for telling them apart is that most carpenter bees have a shiny abdomen, whereas bumblebee abdomens are completely covered with dense hair.
Ecological Significance
In several species, the females live alongside their own daughters or sisters, creating a small social group. They use wood bits to form partitions between the cells in the nest. A few species bore holes in wood dwellings. Since the tunnels are near the surface, structural damage is generally minor or superficial. However, carpenter bee nests are attractive to woodpeckers, which may do further damage by drilling into the wood to feed on the bees or larvae.
Carpenter bees have short mouthparts and are important pollinators on some open-faced or shallow flowers.
Do wood Bees Sting?
Wood bees (carpenter bees) aren’t harmful to people or pets. They’re more likely to fly away from threats instead of stinging. They’re large, gentle-natured bees that won’t go out of their way to sting you. As such, they’re nicknamed “gentle giants.” But, carpenter bees are known for drilling holes in wood. They drill into wood to create their nests.
This means that wood bees (carpenter bees) can drill holes into wooden areas around your home, such as inside roof eaves or wooden siding.
With that said: Wood bees prefer unpainted, weathered wood, especially softer varieties such as cedar, redwood, pine, and cypress. Painted or pressure-treated wood is much less appealing to carpenter bees.
