Carpenter Bee

Description:

X. tabaniformis orpifex occurs in most of the same areas as X. californica, but extends more into the center of the Central Valley, probably due primarily to increased nest sites such as redwood arbors and fences. It can be a pest when it gets into untreated redwood used for water tanks or structural timbers. It is the smallest of the three species [of carpenter bees in California], much larger than a honey bee, but about half the size of the other two carpenter bees. Females are black with light smokey-colored wings. The male has bright yellow marks on the lower part of its face and some yellow hairs on the top front of its thorax. (Source: Robbin Thorp, emeritus professor, UC Davis Department of Entomology) http://beebiology.ucdavis.edu/PHOTOS/car...

Habitat:

Urban house flower garden.

Notes:

I see these bees in my garden all the time and was finally able to get photos. This is the 4th carpenter bee species I have spotted.