Page 173 - Florida Pest Control Examinations

CARPENTER BEE
CARPENTER BEE IN GALLERY

Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR

CARPENTER BEES THE MALE IS SMALLER AND LIGHTER IN
COLOR
M F

Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR
1.Antenna- short 6.Thorax- holding wings CARPENTER BEE
2.Eyes- compound 7.Petiole- none
3.Head 8.Abdomen- large 5
4.Legs- 6 9.Color- dark brown to black
5.Wings- 2 pair 10.Other 8
1
Life Cycle
Eggs are laid in the cells of hollowed-out galleries in infested wood. They hatch in
about a week. The larvae take from three to four weeks to actually develop, but
then remain in that state for another 15-19 days. The pupal stage lasts 40-45 days, 2
but if food is left in the cell the adult may remain there a while before emerging. 4
The complete egg to adult cycle can be completed in 84-99 days.
In Florida there can be two generations per year. Drawing by Andrew Schaible

CARPENTER BEE Actual size 1”
Carpenter Bees are approximately one inch long, black in color. Abdominal segments appear
metallic and iridescent reflecting blue, blue-black, purple, green or bronze colors, and the legs
are noticeably hairy. Although they will fly and hover without regard to human activity, the male
lacks a stinger and is considered harmless. The female has the ability to sting but rarely will.
They will attack areas of the home that may include the roof trim, siding, exterior columns,
steps, decks, porch beams, outdoor furniture and fences. Entry holes will be approximately one
half inch round with a sawdust-like debris below the area being tunneled. Normal entry is about
one inch into the wood against the grain and then a right angle turn with the grain tunneling to a
depth of four to six inches. Prolonged use of these tunnels may reach a depth of six to nine feet
at a rate of an inch per day. Additionally, they prefer unpainted or unvarnished softwoods, which
are easier to penetrate. There is also a smaller Carpenter bee that mainly nests in shrubs.

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