Subject: Black ?wasp ?beetle ?bee
Location: Merida, Yucatan, Mexico
April 7, 2015 7:47 am
I found this bug in my pool. It is about 35mm long and entirely black. the abdomen is hard shinny black. I can not find an image at the many bug related ID sites and was hoping you could help!
Signature: Jeffrey Scherer
Dear Jeffrey,
This is a female Carpenter Bee, probably a Valley Carpenter Bee, Xylocopa varipuncta. Females are capable of stinging, but they are not aggressive bees.
We are vacationing at Diamante, Cobo San Lucas. There are 4 to 5 bore holes in log beams at our villa. Looks like the female Carpenter Bee is here! I have pictures!