Carpenter Bee

Gardens, woodlands, open fields, and areas near wooden structures such as decks, eaves, and fences.

Adults feed on floral nectar and gather pollen to feed their larvae.

Mostly solitary bees. Females excavate tunnels in dead wood or timber to build nest chambers for offspring. Males can be territorial and hover near nests, but they lack stingers.

Benefits: Excellent pollinators for flowers and agricultural crops. Risks: Females can deliver a painful sting if provoked or handled, and repeated tunneling can cause minor structural damage to untreated wooden property.