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CARPENTER BEE CARPENTER BEE
CARPENTER BEE IN GALLERY CARPENTER BEE IN GALLERY

Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR

1.Antenna- short 6.Thorax- holding wings CARPENTER BEE 1.Antenna- short 6.Thorax- holding wings CARPENTER BEE
2.Eyes- compound 7.Petiole- none 5 2.Eyes- compound 7.Petiole- none 5
3.Head 8.Abdomen- large 3.Head 8.Abdomen- large
4.Legs- 6 9.Color- dark brown to black 4.Legs- 6 9.Color- dark brown to black
5.Wings- 2 pair 10.Other 8 5.Wings- 2 pair 10.Other 8
Life Cycle Life Cycle
Eggs are laid in the cells of hollowed-out galleries in infested wood. They hatch 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, 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- 2 but then remain in that state for another 15-19 days. The pupal stage lasts 40- 2
45 days, but if food is left in the cell the adult may remain there a while before 4 45 days, but if food is left in the cell the adult may remain there a while before 4
emerging. The complete egg to adult cycle can be completed in 84-99 days. emerging. The complete egg to adult cycle can be completed in 84-99 days.
Drawing by Andrew Schaible Drawing by Andrew Schaible
CARPENTER BEE Actual size 1” CARPENTER BEE Actual size 1”
Carpenter Bees are approximately one inch long, black in color. Abdominal segments appear 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 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 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. 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, 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 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 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 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 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 at a rate of an inch per day. Additionally, they prefer unpainted or unvarnished softwoods, which
are easier to penetrate. are easier to penetrate.
THE MALE IS SMALLER AND THE MALE IS SMALLER AND
CARPENTER BEES LIGHTER IN COLOR CARPENTER BEES LIGHTER IN COLOR

M F M F

Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR

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