The blue carpenter bee (Xylocopa violacea) is not only particularly large, but also extremely descriptive with its bluish wings. Find out everything you need to know about the largest wild bee here.

In a nutshell

  • Synonyms: purple carpenter bee, large carpenter bee or common carpenter bee
  • harmless
  • loner
  • largest wild bee species

Look

The blue carpenter bee is an extremely vivid bee species: Compared to many other bee species, it is extremely large with a body length of almost 30 millimeters. At first glance, it looks reminiscent of bumblebees, which is why it is often confused with them. However, unlike the bumblebee, the Xylocopa violacea does not have clear wings, but rather blue-black wings. Depending on the incidence of light, these can shimmer bluish to violet, making the large carpenter bee a real feast for the eyes. Other features of their appearance are:

  • black body
  • relatively short haired
  • powerful biting tools
  • slightly bent sensor tips
  • in front of the crease is a yellowish-brown ring

Happen

In the wild, the blue carpenter bee can be found in southern and central Europe at altitudes of up to 740 meters. It is also popular in German-speaking countries: while it used to be more common in the southwest, it is now also widespread in the northern area. It prefers to live in warm biotopes with lots of dry wood, such as the following habitats:

  • gardens
  • parks
  • sparse forests
  • orchards

Bee-friendly habitats

Many insects have difficulty finding suitable nesting sites - including the blue carpenter bee. With a little luck, the bee species settles in your own garden or even on the balcony. It is crucial that it has both a nesting site and sufficient food sources. If you're looking to give a home to the beneficial wild bee species, try the following:

  • Leave trunks of broken trees
  • bee hotel
  • nesting aid
  • Tolerate boreholes in posts and beams
  • Violet carpenter bees are very site-loyal

Notice: Make sure that the shelter is protected from predators as much as possible!

way of life

The blue carpenter bee has a relatively short and solitary existence. While honey bees form well-structured colonies, the carpenter bee prefers to stay alone. Males and females only meet to mate in spring, so that the female specimens can lay their eggs from April:

  • Nesting site: dry, rotten wood
  • gnaw long tunnels into the wood
  • up to 30 cm long
  • nest cells are created in the corridors
  • in each cell there is an egg and provisions for the offspring
  • then the cell is sealed

The development time from egg to adult bee is about 10 weeks. During this time, the parent generation usually dies, so the females never meet their offspring. The flight time usually extends from the beginning of August to autumn. During the cold season, the useful insects usually hibernate in wooden corridors, crevices in walls and even in burrows they have dug themselves.

What does the blue carpenter bee eat?

The blue carpenter bee feeds on nectar, preferring flowers such as sweet peas or honeysuckle that are particularly rich in pollen. In general, however, butterflies, daisies and lamiaceae are part of their diet. The common carpenter bee does not always get the nutritious nectar without problems. In such cases, however, the useful insect knows how to help itself:

  • gnaws a hole in the flower wall
  • takes nectar
  • does not pollinate the flower

frequently asked Questions

Is the blue carpenter bee dangerous?

The Xylocopa violacea is basically completely harmless. She can sting, but only does it to protect herself. Unless she's cornered or harassed, she's usually not in danger.

Can the carpenter bee damage wood?

Since the bees live alone and do not form colonies, they do not cause any major damage to the wood.

What do bee larvae feed on?

As provisions, the larvae receive so-called "bee bread" - a mixture of ruminated pollen and nectar.

Where to report a blue carpenter bee sighting?

You can report any insects you see to the Naturschutzbund Deutschland e.V. (NABU).

Category:

Animals in the garden