8 replies to this topic

[Lasiusumbratus]

I captured this bee trying to dig a hole in a piece of wood I think it’s black and has yellowish white stripes I don’t know what it is but if anyone could tell me that would be great.

https://ibb.co/qC0kJxb
https://ibb.co/JzTW1Zz
https://ibb.co/FXtZ1c8I will see if I can get better photos.

[AntPhycho]

It sounds like it is a carpenter bee if it was digging in wood but I will need some better pictures in order to get an exact ID.

[Lasiusumbratus]

Are they solitary?

[Lasiusumbratus]

https://ibb.co/w7dBvFy
https://ibb.co/stSpV6LThese are some better photos

[Zeiss]

Doesn't appear to be a "carpenter bee."  To me it seems like some sort of solitary bee that will nest inside twigs, tubes, reeds, etc.  They use these tubular nesting sites to create chambers where they lay their eggs in compacted sections of pollen separated by a waxy substance (as far as I know).

[Lasiusumbratus]

Ok should I release it?

[Zeiss]

Ok should I release it?

Always a good idea to release native bees as they are more beneficial to the environment.

[gcsnelling]

Megachile, leaf cutter bee.

[AntsNmyPants]

I know I'm late to the party but...Definitely a leaf cutter bee. I caught a few building nests in the drain holes of one of my hanging pots. It was a plant I had planned on taking into work, it was only outside to help the plant grow faster before I moved it. So much for that idea lol. I even bought a little nesting site meant for these bees but no, they like the plant pot better even though it gets soaking wet at least once every two weeks lol. They are very cool little pollinators and are actually more efficent at pollinating than the honey bee. Looks like you got great advice on releasing it