Eastern Carpenter Bee
Latin name
Xylocopa virginica
Size: 20-25mm
Flight season: March-November
Flower preferences
Feeds on a variety of flowers, including bluebells, penstemons, and food crops
Habitat
Parks, gardens, fields, and meadows
Interesting fact
Females chew holes in dead trees, logs, or stumps to make nests. They resemble bumble bees but can be distinguished by their shiny abdomen.
PHOTO by Cindy Goulder