Bug Identifier
Carpenter Bee (Small Carpenter Bee)
Community identification

Carpenter Bee (Small Carpenter Bee)

Ceratina ssp.

Order & Family
Order: Hymenoptera; Family: Apidae
Size
3 to 15 mm (generally much smaller than common large carpenter bees)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Open fields, gardens, and woodlands; they typically nest in pithy stems of plants like brambles, sumac, or roses.

Diet & Feeding

Nectar and pollen collected from a variety of flowering plants.

Behavior Patterns

Solitary bees that chew into the soft centers of twigs or stems to create tiered nest cells. They are active during the day and are important pollinators.

Risks & Benefits

Benefits include pollination of garden plants and wildflowers. They are generally non-aggressive and rarely sting unless handled roughly; they do not cause structural damage to homes unlike larger carpenter bees.