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bee identification
Location: Kamuela HI 96743
February 13, 2011 4:57 pm
Attached is a picture of a big black busy-but-calm nonthreatening bee that appears to be gathering pollen. Wings are bronze. Nearest I can figure from your photos is that it could be a valley carpentar bee.
Signature: Mickey Haag, Master Gardener

Female Sonoran Carpenter Bee

Dear Mickey,
Thank you for your patience.  Though we were unable to locate it on the Organisms of Hawaii website, we agree with you that this is a Carpenter Bee, but to the best of our knowledge, the Valley Carpenter Bee is not found on Hawaii.  We have found information on the Insects of Hawaii website that its relative, the Sonoran Carpenter Bee, Xylocopa sonorina, is found on Hawaii, but the website only pictures a gold bee and often the males in this genus are golden in coloration.  We found a photo listed as a female Sonoran Carpenter Bee on Wikipedia, and it is black like your individual.

I understand.  I’ve used your website for several years and it’s the best.  When ever we visit relatives/friends they seem to have a ‘bug’ they want me to check out.  If I don’t have the answer you know you’re the site I go to.
Appreciate your limited staff.  Thank you for your site, if not a direct answer to my request!
Mickey Haag

Thank you so much for your quick response and proper identification.  After I emailed you, once again visited the 10-12 ft fence covered in flowering vines and hundreds of busy black bees, I saw a single golden fuzzy bee looking very much like the male valley carpenter bee pictured on your website.  Thanks a million for both  ID’s!  Mickey

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