Violet Carpenter Bee

Violet Carpenter Bee Facts

• Notably, the term Violet Carpenter Bee serves as the common name for a particular species of bee that truly stands out visually. However, this fabulous invertebrate also goes by the hard to pronounce scientific name of the Xylocopa violacea.
• Regardless of the name one uses for it, though, the magnificent insect merits attention for much more than simply its beauty. Along with its obvious and distinctive appearance, this animal also stands out from related species for its physical size.
• Impressively, the lovely insect also ranks as one of the largest bees in its part of the world. Thankfully, it also holds yet another distinction. That’s the simple fact that the insect remains extremely docile, and attacks only if directly threatened.
• Quite fortunately, the fabulous Violet Carpenter Bee also stands out from other bees in one more very important manner. In point of fact, unlike many related species, its numbers appear to be holding relatively steady, at least for the moment.
• The IUCN, therefore, currently has no listing for the insect on the organization’s Red List of Threatened Species. Nonetheless, it must be considered to be at potential risk, at least. This mainly occurs due to the ongoing effects of climate change.

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Violet Carpenter Bee Physical Description

The visually magnificent Violet Carpenter Bee truly draws the eye of most observers, given its incredible appearance. However, this remarkably lovely arthropod achieves this with somewhat unique methods. It does so with a special combination of color and size.

Like a great many insects, including numerous related species, it also displays one more physical attribute of interest. That’s true since the Arthropod displays the physiological trait of sexual dimorphism. This remains a highly common trait throughout Nature.

Not only that, but mature adults of both genders attain an average body length measuring approximately 1.2 in (3 cm). That’s a remarkably impressive measurement for a bee. The typical wingspan achieved by both sexes additionally measures roughly 2 in (5 cm).

The bodies of both the males and females also evolved to present the same general shape. That holds true due to the fact that both genders display a thick, black colored form. The majority of the remarkable body of the bee appears covered in a layer of small hairs.

The female Violet Carpenter Bee, though, stands out for a particularly notable reason. In this instance, that refers to the fact that she physically distinguishes herself from the male in regards to a stinger. She physically develops one, while the male of the species does not.

It’s the delicate-seeming wings themselves, however, that garner most of the attention this arthropod receives. That’s true since these sensitive parts of its body usually display an astonishing violet and blue color. Impressively, these also possesses an iridescent quality.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Arthropoda
• Class: Insecta
• Order: Hymenoptera
• Family: Apidae
• Genus: Xylocopa
• Species: X. violacea

Violet Carpenter Bee Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

The remarkably stunning member of the Order of Hymenoptera known as the Violet Carpenter Bee impresses researchers in yet another surprisng way. That occurs given the fact that the wondrous arthropod evolved as native to a comparatively broad range.

In point of fact, this native territory covers parts of two separate continents. This represents one more statistic about the creature that distinguishes it. To be more precise, the beautiful invertebrate inhabits portions of both the large continents of Asia and Europe.

Within that expansive range, however, this marvelous and relatively large variety of bee demonstrates very specific preferences regarding its habitat. That holds true because this fascinating insect most commonly appears in regions consisting of wooded areas.

Most commonly this habitat choice consists of forests. But, it occasionally even includes such surprising places as parks. Individuals further inhabit a great range of altitudes. Quite amazingly, individuals have been seen at elevations of as much as 5,249 ft ( 1,600 m).

Its lifestyle does remain consistent with the greatest percentage of its relatives, though. Just like other types of carpenter bee, the Violet Carpenter Bee lives a primarily solitary life. In fact, members of this intriguing species typically only come together to mate.

Individuals of both genders bore tunnels into soft wood with their powerful mandibles, earing the commn name. After mating, the female lays her eggs in chambers she constructs. For its dietary needs, both genders feed on pollen and nectar taken from various flora.

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