Georgia is home to an incredibly diverse array of bee species, from tiny sweat bees to the impressive large carpenter bee. Of all the bee species found in the state, the largest is undoubtedly the eastern carpenter bee, Xylocopa virginica. Measuring around 19-23 mm in length, this robust insect earns its title as the largest bee in Georgia.
The eastern carpenter bee can be easily identified by its large, sturdy body and deep black coloration. It is thickly covered in yellow hairs, giving it a fuzzy, teddy bear-like appearance. Male carpenter bees have a yellow face, while females have a black face. Their most distinguishing feature is their extremely loud buzzing sound when in flight. It almost sounds like a tiny power tool!
Unlike honeybees that live in hives eastern carpenter bees are solitary insects. They do not form colonies or complex social structures. Each female excavates her own tunnel in dead wood, tree limbs fence posts, or wooden structures to create a nest. She builds brood cells off the main tunnel to lay her eggs in.
While the females do possess a stinger carpenter bees are not aggressive insects. They become defensive only if provoked. The males do not have a stinger at all. Despite their intimidating size, carpenter bees are docile creatures that want nothing to do with humans.
Eastern carpenter bees play an important ecological role as pollinators. They forage for pollen and nectar from flowers with their long tongues. Their preference is for flowers with a tubular shape, like trumpet vines or morning glories. As they move between blooms, pollen collects on their fuzzy bodies and gets transferred to other flowers. This pollination service is vital for plant reproduction and our food supply.
Next time you hear an intense buzzing noise outside, it just might be Georgia’s largest bee zipping by! The eastern carpenter bee is an impressive example of the state’s incredible bee diversity. Although they can cause some damage by tunneling into wood, carpenter bees are gentle giants of the bee world that provide invaluable pollination services.
The Georgia Native Bee Biodiversity Assessment Project
The Georgia Native Bee Biodiversity Assessment began in 2010 as a survey of the native bees of Georgia. Professor Mark Schlueter coordinates the project and the project’s lead taxonomist is Nicholas Stewart. The majority of native bee collections during 2010-2015 have been in North Georgia near apple orchards. Limited surveys were also performed in several state parks. For this reason, the orchards have the most different kinds of bees and the most of them. The survey typically begins sampling bees in early March and finishes in late September. To date we have collected over 20,00 bees representing nearly 200 species.
One of the projects goals is to determine which native bee species are abundant in agricultural areas. Then, to find out which of these common species might be a good addition to Georgia agriculture to replace or help the honeybees that are dying out
Publications and Presentations on Georgia Native Bees
Broadcasted: Monday, October 10, 2016; Story by Molly Samuel (WAPE 90.1 – Atlanta)
Caucasian Honey Bees of Georgia Caucasus Mountains & The Oldest Honey In The World
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