Eastern Carpenter Bee
Scientific Name: Xylocopa virginica
Order & Family: Hymenoptera: Apidae
Size: 19 to 25 mm in length

Natural Habitat
Found in meadows, gardens, and urban areas near wooden structures like decks, eaves, and fences.
Diet & Feeding
Feeds on nectar and pollen from various flowers; may engage in 'nectar robbing' by piercing flower bases.
Behavior Patterns
Solitary bees that chew perfectly round holes into dead wood or structural timber to create nesting tunnels. Males are territorial but cannot sting.
Risks & Benefits
Crucial pollinators for many crops and wild plants, though they can cause cosmetic or minor structural damage to untreated wood over many years.
Identified on: 6/11/2026