Tennessee is home to over 400 bee species, including some of the largest bees found in North America. For gardeners, outdoors enthusiasts, and homeowners, learning to identify the big bees commonly seen in Tennessee can help distinguish helpful pollinators from potential pests. This article will highlight the most common types of large bees in Tennessee, how to identify them, and tips on living alongside these important pollinators.
Carpenter Bees
The carpenter bee is one of the most frequently encountered big bees in Tennessee. Reaching sizes of 1/2 to 1 inch long carpenter bees superficially resemble bumblebees with their robust round bodies covered in hair. However, carpenter bees can be distinguished from bumblebees by the following characteristics
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Abdomen – The abdomen of the carpenter bee is hairless and shiny black, unlike the furry striped abdomen of the bumblebee.
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Social Behavior – Carpenter bees are solitary, nesting in tunnels in wood. Bumblebees form large social colonies.
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Gender – Male carpenter bees have a yellow thorax, while females are solid black. Bumblebees have similar color patterns in both genders.
While intimidating, male carpenter bees are not aggressive and do not sting Females can sting but rarely do unless handled. Carpenter bees get their name from their habit of tunneling into wood, such as house siding, fences, and decking, to build nests If left unchecked, this can cause structural damage over time.
Bumblebees
Bumblebees are furry, buzzing giants reaching 3/4 to 1 1/2 inches long. They can be identified by their oval heads, furry striped bodies, and social colony structure. Bumblebee colonies contain a queen bee, female workers, and males.
Bumblebees are docile bees that will only sting if provoked. Their stinger is smooth, allowing them to sting repeatedly. Bumblebees do not cause property damage like carpenter bees, instead nesting in cavities like abandoned rodent burrows. They are important native pollinators of wildflowers and food crops.
Cicada Killer Wasps
At up to 1 1/2 inches long, cicada killer wasps are one of the largest stinging insects in Tennessee. The large wasps are black with yellow markings and transparent wings. Only female cicada killers have a stinger.
Despite their intimidating size, cicada killers are docile and rarely sting unless handled. As their name suggests, they hunt cicadas to provision underground nests for their offspring. Cicada killers build nest burrows in lawns, mulch beds, and soil banks. The holes may look alarming but pose no threat if undisturbed.
Tarantula Hawks
Tarantula hawks are a species of solitary wasp reaching 2 inches long found in southern and western Tennessee. The large wasps have bright rust-orange wings, a black body with blue metallic tones, and curved legs. Only females have a stinger used to paralyze tarantulas as food for their offspring.
The tarantula hawk’s sting is considered one of the most painful insect stings, though the wasps are not aggressive. Tarantula hawks will only sting in self-defense if handled or trapped against bare skin. Otherwise, the solitary wasps tend to ignore humans.
Giant Resin Bees
At over 1 inch long, giant resin bees are some of Tennessee’s biggest bee species. They can be identified by their shiny black bodies and dense brush of black hairs on the back legs. Males have white hair tufts on their faces.
Giant resin bees get their name from using plant resins to build nests inside hollow wood cavities. They are important pollinators of flowers and food crops but do not produce honey. Females can sting but are not aggressive. Males do not have stingers.
Tips for Living Alongside Big Bees
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Identify bees before exterminating. Most bees encountered in Tennessee are beneficial native pollinators, not pests.
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Avoid provoking stinging insects. Swatting or smashing bees releases pheromones that provoke attacks. Stay calm and move slowly away if bees appear aggravated.
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Seal exposed wood. Paint, stain, or cover exposed wood to prevent carpenter bee nesting. Caulk cracks and crevices bees could enter.
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Leave undisturbed burrows alone. The ground nests of cicada killers, bumblebees, and other bees are harmless if left undisturbed. Avoid lawn treatments that could damage nests.
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Plant pollinator gardens. Native plants attract native bee species and provide food for beneficial pollinators.
Armed with information on how to identify Tennessee’s big bee species, we can appreciate the beauty and ecological benefits these insects provide. A little knowledge and preventive maintenance can prevent misunderstandings and allow us to safely coexist with even the largest bees.
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What are Carpenter Bees?
Carpenter bees are a large species of bee commonly found in Middle Tennessee. They range in size from ½ to 1½ inches in length. Carpenter bees and bumble bees look a lot alike, but there are a few clear differences between the two. Bees and carpenter bees both have round, hairy bodies. However, bumble bees have hair on both of their bodies, while carpenter bees only have hair on their thorax. The thorax of a male carpenter bee is yellowish orange with black stripes, like a bumble bee’s. The thorax of a female carpenter bee is all black. Finally, the abdomens of carpenter bees are shiny and black, not striped and hairy like bumble bees.
Another difference between carpenter bees and bumble bees that isn’t as clear is that carpenter bees live alone, while bumblebees are very social. Carpenter bees live and work alone or in small, unstructured groups.
How Do I Get Rid of Carpenter Bees?
Because carpenter bees can damage homes, it’s important to get rid of them. Here at All–American Pest Control, we offer our Perimeter Plus pest control for homeowners dealing with carpenter bees. This home pest control program also targets over 47 different pests. All-American Pest Control has the best pest control in Middle Tennessee and can help you get rid of carpenter bees and any other pests that are bothering you. Call or email us to set up a free home inspection or to find out more about our commercial carpenter bee treatment options in Tennessee.
An installation fee will apply.
There are no contracts, and you can cancel at any time. You can rest easy knowing that All-Americans professional pest control will keep your home safe from harmful bugs.
Whats Included:
- Covers over 47 different pests
- + Outdoor misting treatments
- Winter granule perimeter band
- Indoor treatments upon request
Man Encounters Giant Anthill in Tennessee
FAQ
Can carpenter bees sting or bite you?
What are the big huge bees called?
Do jumbo bumble bees sting?
What is the season for carpenter bees in Tennessee?
How many long horned bees are there in Tennessee?
There are up to 30 species of Long-Horned Bees in Tennessee! This bee group nests in holes dug by females, typically under shrubbery. The nests are branched, with tiny “rooms” at the end of each branch where a single bee will overwinter. Long-horned bees are solitary for much of their life.
What does a bumblebee look like in Tennessee?
Fuzzy hair is colored with black and yellow stripes. Large and round-bodied with a pointed head. Bumblebees are the most recognizable bees in Tennessee! Although they don’t produce honey, they’re essential pollinators for fruit and vegetable crops. They feed on the nectar of flowering plants and collect pollen to feed their young.
Are there worker mason bees in Tennessee?
There are no worker Mason Bees. Interestingly, Mason Bees are considered the most docile bee in Tennessee! Farmers and other professionals regularly handle Mason Bees without being stung. They’re often kept on large farms to help with the growing process because they’re highly efficient pollinators.
What do cuckoo bees look like in Tennessee?
Their bodies are elongated, coming to a sharp point at the stinger. Cuckoo Bees are the most wasp-like of all bee groups in Tennessee! Their coloring varies so widely that it’s hard to tell what type of insect you’re looking at without careful observation. Some are black and white striped, while others are mainly black with red bands.
How many bumble bees are in a hive?
The bumble bees, 49 species of which are found in the United States, are the exception. Like honey bees, bumble bees live socially in hives which provide shelter and a place to raise their young. Usually located underground, particularly in abandoned holes made by rodents, bumble bee hives usually include between 50 and 500 individuals. 2.
How many bumble bees live in a colony?
Bumble bees live in colonies of between 50 and 500 individuals. Photo by Elaine Evans. The vast majority of our native bees are solitary and don’t form hives or have queens. The bumble bees, 49 species of which are found in the United States, are the exception.