Do you ever wonder what bees do at night? We all know that during the warm days, their main job is to gather pollen, but where do they go and what do they do at night?
Only thanks to a study conducted in the 80s do we know the sleep-wake cycles of honeybees.
Researchers Walter Kaiser and others looked at how they slept and found that honeybees sleep for about six hours every night.
As darkness falls, most bee species return to their hives or nests to rest. Yet on rare occasions, one may spot large bees energetically buzzing around lights and doorways after sunset. These unsettling nighttime visitors are likely male carpenter bees searching for mates. Understanding the biology and behavior of these nocturnal insects dispels myths and reveals their essential pollination role.
Carpenter Bees: Large, Sturdy, and Often Mistaken for Bumblebees
While known for excavating tunnels in wood, carpenter bees are important native pollinators. There are two main genera in the United States:
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Xylocopa Large bees at over 1 inch long Solid black abdomens Two common east coast species are X. virginica (Eastern carpenter bee) and X. micans (Mountain carpenter bee).
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Ceratina: Smaller bees around 1/2 inch long. Abdomens with yellow markings. Common species include C. calcarata (Small carpenter bee) and C. dupla (Double carpenter bee).
With their robust, fuzzy bodies, carpenter bees superficially resemble bumblebees. Size and coloration differs among the various species. They can be identified by a shiny, nearly bare abdomen and lack of pollen-collecting hairs on hind legs.
Nesting Habits
Carpenter bees chew nesting tunnels into dry, untreated wood Favorite sites include eaves, railings, picnic tables, and yard structures. Dry, soft woods like cypress, cedar, and pine are preferred The bees do not consume wood.
Solitary females excavate the holes for egg laying. Each tunnel leads to a series of brood cells provisioned with pollen and nectar. The larvae develop pupate, and emerge the following spring as adult bees that repeat the nesting process.
Male Carpenter Bees:gentle, Docile Creature of the Night
The male bees are responsible for the nighttime activity around doorways and lights. Here are key facts about their biology:
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No stingers: Male carpenter bees cannot sting. They lack a stinger which is exclusive to females. Males can inflict harmless bites with their small jaws when handled.
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Territorial: Males aggressively defend nesting areas against intruders. Expect dive bombing near the nest entrance. They harmlessly bounce off skin.
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Mating quest: Males emerge before females in spring and patrol nesting zones seeking virgin queens. For a short period, this quest continues after dark.
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Night vision: Their oversized eyes possess traits for enhanced night vision compared to other bees. Still, vision remains poorer than daytime vision.
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Attracted to light: Poor night vision leads males to investigate bright lights which may mimic floral UV patterns. Artificial lighting confuses their navigation.
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Limited energy reserves: Male carpenter bees lack pollen collecting hairs and mainly subsist on nectar. Night foraging rapidly depletes their minimal energy stores.
While intimidating in size and sound, patrolling males simply bumble along erratically in the dark. Any threat display is just bluffing. Remember, they cannot sting.
Why Females Remain in the Nest at Night
Female carpenter bees display entirely diurnal activity, returning to their nests at dusk. Several factors explain their nighttime inactivity:
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Egg laying and provisioning: Females focus energy on excavating brood cells, laying eggs, and stocking provisions overnight.
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Lower energy reserves: The extra energy demands of egg production may preclude night foraging. Nectar gleaned during daylight likely sustains them.
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No mating incentive: Receptive virgin queens remain in the nest at night. With no female activity outside, males have no reproductive incentive for nocturnal mating.
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Poor night vision: Like males, female vision lacks adaptations for exploiting low light. Night flying poses a hazard.
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Vulnerability: Foraging in darkness leaves females more susceptible to nocturnal predators. DAYTIME CAMOUFLAGE OFFERS BETTER PROTECTION.
Nocturnal Carpenter Bees Still Play A Vital Ecological Role
While their nighttime buzzing unnerves homeowners, carpenter bees remain important native pollinators. Some key benefits they provide:
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Pollination of a diverse array of wild plants, including vital spring bloomers. Their sturdy build suits them to night-blooming flowers.
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Food source for birds, spiders, and other wildlife that prey on adults and larvae.
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Nesting activity creates shelters later used by other insect species. Tunnelers like wood-boring beetles may move in once bees vacate.
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Limited wood damage compared to wood-borers. Small entrance holes usually heal over when bees abandon nests.
Discouraging Night Visits From Male Carpenter Bees
Homeowners bothered by male carpenter bees at night lights have options to curtail the activity:
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Turn off unnecessary outdoor lighting or use low wavelength yellow bulbs.
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Install motion detector lighting that remains off unless triggered by large nearby movement.
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Use sodium vapor lamps which attract fewer insects than fluorescent, incandescent, or LED bulbs.
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Block light from windows and doors by closing drapes and blinds at night.
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Apply insect repellent barrier treatments around entryways in the evening when males begin activity.
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Install a screen door for an added layer of protection from indoor entry.
With awareness of their harmless nature and active period, male carpenter bees can be deterred without destruction. A bit of patience and simple measures to reduce attraction allows peaceful coexistence with these night-flying pollinators.
Where do bees go at night?
Most bees are diurnal and cannot fly during nighttime so they spend the night
Diurnal animals and creatures only carry out their duties during the day. That’s not to say bees can’t crawl at night, with minimal movement inside the nest or hive.
Some tropical bees have changed their habits to live at night. The Indian carpenter bee is a great example of this; it has evolved to go on foraging flights even at night when it’s very dark.
One reason you’re unlikely to see bees flying during the night is their tolerance to temperature.
It’s true that bees like it warm, and some honeybees kill hornets by cooking them alive with their body heat.
Are Bees Active At Night?
The short answer is no; most bees rest and sleep at night.
People may think this is obvious: we can’t live without sleep. But scientists didn’t start studying it until the 1980s.
Kaiser’s research was the first detailed scientific study showing that invertebrates sleep like mammals.
Bees fall into three major categories defined by behaviour related to the day and night cycle.
- Diurnal – Active during the day
- Crepuscular – Active during dusk and dawn
- Nocturnal – Active at night
There are a few species of nocturnal bees that only work at night, but they are very rare.
You can tell a bee is asleep because its antennae stop moving and its head and tail are tucked in. Its wings rest on its body.
Female bees sleep in their nests, but male bees sleep outside, where they can hide in grass or flowers and avoid being eaten.
Looking for a handy bee first aid kit for when you’re on the go? Don’t miss our awesome bee revival kit, perfect for helping bees get back to the hive after a hard day.
What Do Bees Do At Night | Busy Beekeeping
FAQ
What are the big bees out at night?
What are the big wasps that come out at night?
Why would bees be out at night?
What are the huge bees called?
Do bees buzz at night?
Yes, bees buzz at night. The buzzing comes from their wings. Nocturnal bees fly at night, so they will also buzz.
How long does a bee sting last?
A minor sting with mild symptoms may only last for a few hours. But in severe cases, that could mean being hospitalized and taking days or even weeks to fully recover.
Do nocturnal bees come out at night?
We will discuss the ins-and-outs of nocturnal bees in a little bit, but there are bees who come out at night regularly. The most common nocturnal bees are the Indian carpenter bee and the Megalopta sweat bee. These nocturnal bee species are the rarity, however. These night owls have evolved over time to become the evening bees they are.
Are there any bees that are active at twilight or at night?
And it might surprise you to learn that there are actually quite a few bees that are active at twilight or at night around the world. Emily: So, around the world there are over 250 species of bees that are nocturnal or crepuscular. So crepuscular is a word meaning sort of the twilight zones.
Are bees active at night?
Some bees are nocturnal, meaning they sleep during the day and work during the night. They collect nectar, pollinate, build their nest, and do other bee activities during the night. These bees are most active during dusk and dawn and are called crepuscular bees.
Why do some bees come out at night?
Some bees exhibit nocturnal behavior and come out at night to forage. Others come out at night due to a parasite. Bees are fascinating little creatures who have plenty of exciting behaviors, both day and night.