Eastern Carpenter Bee

Found in forests, fields, and near human structures containing softwoods like cedar, pine, or redwood.

Adults feed on nectar and pollen from a wide variety of flowers; larvae feed on 'bee bread' (a mixture of pollen and regurgitated nectar).

Solitary bees that bore perfectly round holes into wood to create nesting galleries. Males are territorial and will hover near nests to 'patrol' but lack a stinger; females spend most of their time foraging or excavating.

Benefits include being excellent pollinators for many food crops and wildflowers. Risks include minor structural damage to wood over several years and a painful (though rare) sting from females if they are handled or directly provoked.