|
| |
| | | The European carpenter bee (Xylocopa violacea) | The European carpenter bee (Xylocopa violacea) is of the order Hymenoptera and belongs to the bee family. It is found in Southern and Central Europe and is one of the largest wild bees in Germany. Xylocopa violacea are 20 to 28 mm in length. They are almost black in colour and have hairs which are dark grey. Their wings are dark brown with a shimmer of blue. The European carpenter bee inhabits warmer areas and prefers river valleys, forest edges and gardens.
| | |
| | | | Both males and females overwinter. In spring they mate. When it is time to lay eggs the female gnaws a tunnel into dead wood, up to 30 cm in length. At the end of the tunnel is a cell which is approximately 2.5 cm wide ; the female brings pollen and nectar here and lays an egg. She then seals the cell with chippings which she glues together with her saliva. In the direction of the exit the female then builds a new cell and then another and so on. When the larvae hatch they are like maggots and they develop for 3 weeks. They then turn into pupae and finish their development in June. | | |
| | | | Adult Xylocopa violacea fly in summer, autumn and the following spring. Their main food sources are pollen and nectar. People are rarely stung by Xylocopa violacea. | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | Description of images / photos | | 1. | Xylocopa violacea - bees - blue shimmering wings | | 2. | Xylocopa violacea | | 3. | Xylocopa violacea - side face | | 4. | Xylocopa violacea - Front vies | | 5. | Bee - Xylocopa violacea | | 6. | Xylocopa violacea hanging on a flower | | 7. | Black Bee with blue wings | | 8. | Side view of a Xylocopa violacea | | 9. | Xylocopa violacea - Rear view | | 10. | Xylocopa violacea |
|
|
| |
| | | | | |
| | | |
| Frequent Queries: | | Xylocopa violacea (9) | | Xylocopa violacea information (1) | | Holzbiene (1) | | Carpenter Bee Xylocopa violacea (1) | | blaue holzbiene adult (1) | | xylocopa violacea food (1) | | xylocopa pictures (1) |
|
|
