Carpenter Bee (Female)

Natural Habitat

Forests, gardens, and urban areas near untreated softwoods (like decks, eaves, and fences) where they excavate nesting tunnels.

Diet & Feeding

Adults feed on plant nectar and pollen; larvae are fed a mixture of pollen and regurgitated nectar (bee bread)

Behavior Patterns

Solitary nesters that bore nearly perfect circular holes into wood to lay eggs. Males are territorial and aggressive (hovering near people) but stingless, while females can sting if provoked but are generally docile.

Risks & Benefits

Benefits: Excellent pollinators, especially for open-faced flowers. Risks: Females can sting (painful but rarely dangerous unless allergic); can cause structural damage to wooden property over time due to tunneling.

Identified on: 2/12/2026