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Project Noah Nature School
Xylocopa sp. (violacea or valga)
Large solitary bee with black body and iridescent wings. Named Xylocopa from the greek word ξυλοκόπος (carpenter), because she makes her nests in wood. Only females have stinger that can sting but they used it only if threatened. To distinguish between the two very similar species Xylocopa violacea and Xylocopa valga, we need a detailed closeup on the antennae and tarsus which are not clearly visible on my photo. However we can exclude the third common species, Xylocopa iris, which is smaller than this specimen.
River side, low altitude mountain
Spotted on Aug 16, 2015
Submitted on Aug 17, 2015
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