Mason bees and carpenter bees – they sound pretty similar, don’t they? After all, masons and carpenters both work with materials like wood and stone to construct things. But while these two types of bees may have overlapping names, they are actually quite different insects with distinct appearances, behaviors, and nesting habits.
In this article, we’ll take a close look at mason bees vs carpenter bees, examining how to tell them apart as well as their unique roles as pollinators. Whether you’re a gardener looking to attract pollinators or just curious about these fascinating bees, read on to learn all about the differences between these common solitary bees!
Mason Bee Characteristics
First, let’s get familiar with the mason bee. There are around 140 species of mason bees in the genus Osmia, though the blue orchard mason bee is one of the most common.
Physically, the mason bee is much smaller than the carpenter bee. They are also fuzzy all over, whereas the defining characteristic of a carpenter bee is their bare, shiny abdomen Notice the mason bee’s fuzzy abdomen while the carpenter bee’s abdomen is bare and shiny
In terms of coloration, mason bees are typically a steely blue-black hue, though some species may have orange-reddish abdomens. Females range from around 1⁄4 to 5/8 inch long.
Mason bees get their name from their ingenious use of “masonry” materials like mud or chewed up leaves to build dividers in their nesting tubes. The female mason bee creates chambers within these tubes, filling each one with pollen and nectar to feed her offspring.
Unlike honey bees, mason bees are solitary rather than social. Each female builds and provisions her own nest, laying around 25 eggs over her short 4-6 week springtime adulthood She does not interact with other mason bees aside from mating.
Carpenter Bee Characteristics
Now let’s look at the defining features of carpenter bees. There are two common species in the U.S.: the Eastern carpenter bee and the Western carpenter bee.
The most obvious trait of carpenter bees is their large size. Carpenter bees can be up to 1 inch long, making them significantly bigger than mason bees. They are robust, with a very round, fat appearance compared to the slender mason bee body.
Carpenter bees have an entirely black abdomen that is smooth and shiny. This is the easiest way to distinguish them from fuzzy mason bees. The thorax may be golden-yellow or white.
Male carpenter bees have a white dot on their faces, while females do not. Their eyes are much larger than mason bees as well.
As their name suggests, carpenter bees are capable of drilling into wood to make their nests, using strong mandibles. They tunnel into dead trees, logs, and wooden structures like sheds, drilling holes up to an inch wide.
Carpenter bees also lead solitary lives, with fertilized females building and provisioning their own nests. They do not have permanent colonies.
Differences in Nesting Habits
One major way in which mason and carpenter bees differ is in their nesting preferences and habits.
Mason bees utilize pre-made cavities, either in hollow reeds and stems or in holes created by wood-boring insects. They do not excavate the holes themselves. Common mason bee nesting sites include:
- Hollow stems of plants like bamboo or elderberry
- Abandoned beetle borings in wood
- Drilled wood blocks with holes around 5/16 inch diameter
- Tubes in a constructed mason bee house
Once they find or are provided with an existing tubular space, the mason bee gets to work building its nest. It collects mud or leaf pieces and constructs walls within the cavity, creating cells for each egg. Then it provides pollen and nectar in each cell and lays eggs.
Carpenter bees, in contrast, are able to drill snug-fitting tunnels into wood using their robust mandibles. Common carpenter bee nesting sites include:
- Dead trees or logs
- Structures made from untreated wood like sheds, decks, barns, and fences
- Wooden garden items like trellises, outdoor furniture, and bee houses
The female carpenter bee excavates a hole around 3⁄4 inch wide and up to 12 inches deep. Within this main tunnel, she builds up to 10 individual nesting cells, laying an egg in each one over several weeks.
So while mason bees use pre-made holes, carpenter bees are able to create their own holes in wood. This difference in nesting behavior helps identify them.
Pollination Habits
Both mason and carpenter bees contribute substantially to pollination. But they have some differences that affect their roles as pollinators:
Flower preferences: Mason bees visit a very wide variety of flowering plants. Their long tongues allow them to pollinate tubular flowers that bees like honeybees can’t access. Carpenter bees prefer open, cup-shaped flowers.
Body design: Mason bees have specialized hairs for collecting pollen, making them excellent pollinators. Carpenter bees have less hair, but their larger size helps them carry more pollen.
Temperature tolerance: Mason bees can fly in cooler weather, starting earlier in spring. Carpenter bees prefer warmer conditions.
Number of bees: There are many more mason bees – dozens may nest in a bee house. Only 1-2 carpenter bees usually nest in an area.
Bee activity: Mason bees visit many more flowers per trip. Carpenter bees often visit the same plant repeatedly.
So in general, mason bees are considered more efficient pollinators, with their fuzzier bodies and energetic flower foraging covering diverse blossoms. But both provide vital pollination services.
Social Behavior
Mason and carpenter bees lead solitary lives, unlike the social honey bee. They do not live in colonies or have caste systems with queens, workers, and drones.
The fertilized female mason or carpenter bee alone builds her nest and gathers pollen/nectar to feed her offspring. She does not interact with other bees in a colony.
Solitary bees like mason and carpenter bees are not aggressive, since they have no hive or resources to protect. The males may fly around to investigate if you get near their nests but rarely sting.
Appearance Summary
To quickly summarize the differences in appearance:
Mason bees:
- Small, usually around 1⁄4 – 1⁄2 inch long
- Slender, torpedo-shaped body
- Blue-black, green, or reddish coloration
- Entirely fuzzy, especially on the abdomen which is not bare
Carpenter bees:
- Large, robust body around 1 inch long
- Shiny black abdomen without hair
- Females have all black bodies
- Males have yellow on thorax and white dot on face
Once you recognize the size difference and that carpenter bees have bare abdomens while mason bees are fully fuzzy, it becomes easier to distinguish these solitary bees.
Maintaining Mason and Carpenter Bee Populations
If you want to support mason and carpenter bee populations in your yard or garden, you can provide them with suitable nesting sites:
Mason Bees:
- Install a constructed mason bee house with tubes or drilled wood blocks
- Leave hollow reeds or bamboo stems in garden areas
- Allow pithy-stemmed plants like elderberry to grow
Carpenter Bees:
- Set out untreated log rounds or firewood
- Attach unpainted, unfinished wooden boards on sheds or fences
- Construct a wooden bee hotel with pre-drilled holes
Avoid using pesticides which reduce food sources and nesting sites for these important native pollinators. Mason and carpenter bees enrich ecosystems and provide free pollination services, making them welcome guests in any garden.
Mason and Carpenter Bees Both Have a Place
While they may sound similar and overlap in name, mason and carpenter bees have distinct differences when it comes to their appearance, nesting habits, and pollination behavior.
By understanding how to identify them, you can appreciate the unique charm and value each solitary bee brings to your landscape. Whether you have an abundance of mason bees filling up their bee house or witness carpenter bees busily excavating holes, these fascinating insects have distinct appeal.
Both mason and carpenter bees deserve recognition and habitat to continue providing essential pollination services. So next time you see a fuzzy mason bee or hear the robust buzzing of a carpenter bee, take a moment to admire these captivating creatures!
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FAQ
Are mason bees destructive?
Do mason bees sting?
What happens if a carpenter bee stings you?
Are mason bees good?
What is the difference between a mason bee and a carpenter bee?
Carpenter bees are larger than mason bees; some are the size of bumble bees, some a bit smaller. But carpenters have a smooth—rather than a hairy—abdomen. Then too, bumble bees are often seen coming out of underground nests, whereas carpenter bees are seen hanging around wooden objects—usually treasured and/or expensive wooden objects.
Are carpenter bees solitary?
However, carpenter bees are from a different family, Apidae. Carpenter bees often nest in wood, but they actually dig the holes where they lay their eggs, while mason bees like to find already existing holes. In conclusion, mason bees are solitary bees, but not all solitary bees are mason bees.
Are mason bees responsible for carpenter bee holes?
Unfortunately, bees that nest in pre-drilled holes—such as mason bees—often get blamed for the holes that carpenter bees or other creatures build. Sadly, I’ve seen folks kill mason bees thinking they were responsible for the damage. Carpenter bees are larger than mason bees; some are the size of bumble bees, some a bit smaller.
Are leafcutter bees a mason or a carpenter bee?
Leafcutter bees actually belong to the same family as mason bees called Megachilidae. Mason bees are also often confused with carpenter bees, also known as digger bees. However, carpenter bees are from a different family, Apidae.
What do mason bees look for in a nest?
Unlike carpenter bees, mason bees look for naturally occurring gaps where they can build their nest chambers out of mud and other elements. They might even make their home in a vacant carpenter bee nest, but they won’t cause further damage. It is common for gardeners to make nests for mason bees. Pictured here is a homemade nest.
What is the difference between a honey bee and a carpenter bee?
Honey bees are social insects that live in hives containing up to 60,000 bees. Carpenter bees are fatter, fuzzier insects that look like bumble bees. They’re almost twice the length of a honey bee, living on their own or in small families. While honey bees use beeswax to make their homes, carpenters chew into wood to make their nests.