This is "Nature's Drill Bit" which is an eastern carpenter bee that I staged for a focus stacking session. They somewhat resemble bumblebees but have a noticeably black, shiny abdomen. Carpenter bees are rather solitary and excavate their nests in wood. A small pile of sawdust beneath a hole about ⅜ inch in diameter is a clue to their presence. I doubt that I would be able to drill a hole as perfectly as they can gnaw one. They have found our old dog kennel building and runs to be quite inviting for their nest building.
Adults feed on nectar from flowers, sometimes biting a hole in the base of the petals to "rob" the nectar without pollinating. They do pollinate many flowers at times which makes them beneficial as well as a pest. The female provisions her nest tunnels with nectar and pollen and then lays eggs on this food, which nourishes the young as they develop. Carpenter bees are busy provisioning their nests in the spring and summer.
The males put on a big bluff as they will hover in front of you although they are harmless. The females have been known to sting should they feel threatened when handled.
Wonderful detail, as usual, Gary! These guys were a constant problem for us in our last house.
Excellent, sippy. I hate those beggars. They have just about ruined my porch swing.
Longshadow wrote:
Looks foreboding.
Thanks, Longshadow. They are a pain in the butt for the damage that they do.
UTMike wrote:
Wonderful detail, as usual, Gary! These guys were a constant problem for us in our last house.
UTMike, they are the same here.
kpmac wrote:
Excellent, sippy. I hate those beggars. They have just about ruined my porch swing.
Thanks, Kpmac. I am amazed at how perfectly round the hole is that they gnaw into the wood.
sippyjug104 wrote:
Thanks, Longshadow. They are a pain in the butt for the damage that they do.
Yup, and amazingly, all 3/8" holes.
The front of the head almost looks like metal. Nice work.
Nasty looking. Great stack, Gary.
George, thanks for dropping by.
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