Eastern Carpenter Bee

Blooming flowers in the Native Plant Garden have attracted various species of native bees, including this female Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica). Known for their destructive nest-building behavior, female carpenter bees bore holes into softwood (including trees, plants, and buildings) to construct their nesting chambers. Mating occurs in May and eggs are laid in July. Eastern carpenter bees are the largest native bee species in Pennsylvania and are an essential pollinator of many native plants. 

Photo by Laura Berry.