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Size: |
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Adults are about 1/2 to 1 inch (12.5-25 mm) long and robust. |
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Characteristics: |
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Resemble Bumble Bees but upper abdomen is quite bare and shiny black. |
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Color: |
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California Carpenter Bee (mountains in California /Oregon) is mostly metallic green/blue with grayish wings. Female Valley Carpenter Bee (valleys, lower foothills of California, Arizona) is shiny black with bright metallic purple/bronze shine, smoky colored wings; male is golden brown or buff. Mountain Carpenter Bee (foothills/mountains of California/Arizona/Nevada/Oregon) is black; male's head has yellow, white, black hairs. |
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Where Found: |
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Around the world with 7 species in the United States. |
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Comparison: |
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Similar to Bumble Bees, except Bumble Bees have hairy abdomens with some yellow marks. Some Robber Flies are similar, but have just one pair of wings. Some Hawk Moths are also similar, but have mouth parts that are siphons. |
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Habitat: |
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Bore holes in weathered wood to make places to rear young. Valley Carpenter Bee uses partly decayed oak, eucalyptus and other hardwoods. California Carpenter Bee favors incense cedars and redwood trees. Mountain Carpenter Bee has been known to nest in structures. Do not form colonies. |
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Food: |
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This bee does not consume wood. Pollen and nectar are main foods. |
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Biology: |
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After mating, female bores a hole straight into wood, then turns and follows the grain of the wood in order to make a gallery in which to lay eggs. May use an old gallery from a previous year, or extend an old gallery. Beginning at the closed end, she lays an egg onto a mass of pollen and partly digested nectar, then seals it with chewed wood pulp. Mating is in spring after over wintering in old tunnels. Survivors feed on nectar. Development from egg to adult takes 1-3 months. |
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Damage: |
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Do not pose much threat to structures. Females have ability to sting, but do not often use it. Males are aggressive with humans, sometimes hovering or buzzing around one's head, but they have no stinger. |
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Invasion: |
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Do not usually bore into painted wood. |
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Control: |
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Control products must be applied directly into the burrows in order to achieve control. Treat each gallery with an appropriate, registered material. (Usually an aerosol) After treatment, you will need to monitor for further activity. There is no preventative treatment for this insect and new infestations will need to be addressed as necessary. If you attempt to control these insects and make an application, be sure it is registered for the target pest/location. Read the entire label prior to use. Follow all label directions, restrictions, and precautions. |
