Identifying Big Black Bees Commonly Found In Texas

Texas is home to a diverse variety of bee species Among the most conspicuous are large, robust black bees that often generate curiosity and alarm for residents While they can seem intimidating, these bees play important roles as pollinators in local ecosystems. This article will overview the most common big black bee species found around Texas and how to identify them.

Carpenter Bees

Carpenter bees are a type of solitary bee found throughout most of the United States In Texas, the most common species is the black carpenter bee, Xylocopa virginica, also known as the Eastern carpenter bee

Identifying characteristics of carpenter bees include:

• Large size, ranging from 1 to 1 1⁄4 inches long. One of the biggest bees in the U.S.

• Robust, solid black bodies covered in dense hairs. Shiny black abdomen.

• Males have yellow or white markings on their face while females are solid black.

• Very loud buzzing while in flight. Dive-bombing territorial males can be intimidating.

• Capable of drilling perfectly round tunnels into wood to make their nests, causing minor structural damage.

Carpenter bees are not overly aggressive and the males cannot sting. Only females have a stinger which they rarely use unless handled. Overall, these are docile bees that are more nuisance than threat.

Bumblebees

Several bumblebee species are found in Texas and they also include some large black varieties. These social bees live in small colonies and are important native pollinators.

Distinctive bumblebee features include:

• Plump, fuzzy bodies with black banding on a yellow, orange, or rust background. Entirely black species do exist.

• Smaller than carpenter bees, ranging from .5 to 1.5 inches long depending on species.

• Pollen baskets (corbicula) on hind legs for transporting pollen. Carpenter bees do not have these.

• Nest in cavities in dead trees, abandoned rodent holes, under debris, etc. Not wood burrowers.

• Loud buzz but not as intense dive-bombing behavior as carpenter bees.

Bumblebees will generally ignore people and only sting if their nest is disturbed. Their fuzzy appearance can cause them to be mistaken for black carpenter bees.

Honey Bees

Honey bees are not native to the Americas but were brought over from Europe centuries ago. Their use in agriculture has resulted in feral colonies spreading across Texas.

Honey bee identification includes:

• Medium sized at .5 to .75 inches long with amber/brown bands on a black abdomen.

• Hairy thorax and head but smooth, striped abdomen. Carpenter bees have uniformly fuzzy bodies.

• Live in colonies of up to 60,000 individuals with dedicated worker, drone, and queen castes.

• Produce and store excess honey in wax combs in the large nest cavity.

Domesticated honey bees are generally quite docile. Africanized hybrids can show more aggressive defensive behavior if provoked. Stings are used as a last resort.

Additional Black Bee Species

A few other native black bee species occur in Texas that may be mistaken for the large carpenter bee, such as:

• Large carpenter bees (Xylocopa micans) – all black with some iridescent purplish tones on wings.

• Digger bees – jet black solitary ground nesting bees of the Anthophora genus.

• Orchard mason bees – small black Osmia lignaria bees that frequent orchards and gardens.

Take a closer look at the details like size, wing venation, fuzziness, etc. to properly differentiate these species. Taking a photo can help entomologists make a positive ID.

While the large carpenter bee is perhaps the most familiar big black bee in the state, Texas is home to a surprising diversity of black bees. Each fills an important ecological role. Learning to recognize their distinguishing characteristics allows you to appreciate these beneficial pollinators when they visit your garden.