Carpenter Bee

Natural Habitat

Parks, gardens, and woodlands; famously bores into dead wood, bamboo, or structural timber.

Diet & Feeding

Nectar and pollen collected from a wide variety of flowers; sometimes engages in "nectar robbing" by piercing the base of flowers.

Behavior Patterns

Solitary bees that do not live in colonies. Females excavate tunnels in wood to lay eggs, while males often hover near nests and can be territorial/aggressive in flight, though they lack stings.

Risks & Benefits

Benefits: Excellent pollinators for many native plants and crops. Risks: Can cause structural damage to wooden buildings/decks over time due to seasonal tunnel excavation. Females can sting if handled, but are generally docile.

Identified on: 5/22/2026