Honey bees and carpenter bees are two fascinating species of bees that play different roles in our ecosystem.
While both are crucial pollinators, they exhibit distinct behaviors and physical appearances, making a comparison between them quite intriguing.
Honey bees are social insects often found in large colonies and are key pollinators in agricultural crop production.
Honey Bee
Carpenter Bee
In contrast, carpenter bees are solitary creatures known for their wood-boring habits and, unlike honey bees, have a shiny, black abdomen2.
Eastern carpenter bees, for example, can be identified by their yellow fuzz on the thorax and black or yellow faces depending on their gender3.
By understanding the differences between these two bee species, we can appreciate their unique characteristics while acknowledging their vital contributions to our environment.
Honey Bee vs Carpenter Bee: Basic Differences
Appearance and Size
- Honey bees are typically around 15 mm long, with a slim body covered in hair. They have golden-yellow and black stripes on their abdomen.
- Carpenter bees are larger, around 25 mm long, with a robust body. They have a shiny black abdomen and might have some yellow hair on their head and thorax.
Behavior and Aggression
- Honey bees are less aggressive than many wasps, only stinging when they feel threatened. Their stingers are barbed, causing them to die after stinging.
- Carpenter bees are not aggressive and rarely sting. Only females can sting, as males are not equipped with a stinger.
Colony Life versus Solitary Life
- Honey bees live in large colonies with a highly structured social life. They usually reside in hives and have a single queen, drone bees, and worker bees.
- Carpenter bees are solitary, creating individual nests in wood structures. They do not have a queen or work together as a community.
| Honey Bee | Carpenter Bee | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 15 mm | 25 mm |
| Color | Golden-yellow | Shiny black |
| Stripes | Yes | No |
| Aggressiveness | Low | Very low |
| Lifestyle | Colony | Solitary |
In summary, honey bees and carpenter bees differ in size, color, aggression, and social life.
Honey bees are smaller, have a unique striped pattern, and live in structured colonies, while carpenter bees are larger, black, and live solitary lives.
Ecological Roles and Pollination
Honey Bee Pollination
Honey bees play a significant role in the pollination of various plants, vegetables, and fruits.
They collect pollen and nectar from flowers, acting as crucial pollinators. For example, honey bees help pollinate:
- Almonds
- Apples
- Berries
Buzz Pollination: Honey bees don’t perform buzz pollination. However, some plants, like tomatoes, rely on this method for effective pollination.
Carpenter Bee Pollination
Carpenter bees also contribute to pollination, but they exhibit different behaviors. They prefer open-faced flowers and may:
- Pollinate greenhouse honeydew melons, resulting in similar fruit mass and seed numbers as honey bees.
- Use their large body size to access deeper flowers.
Buzz Pollination: Carpenter bees are proficient in buzz pollination, benefiting plants like tomatoes.
Carpenter Bee
Comparison Table
| Feature | Honey Bee | Carpenter Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Pollen & Nectar | Collect both | Collect both |
| Buzz Pollination | No | Yes |
| Open-faced Flowers | Varied | Prefer them |
| Deep Flowers | Limited | Accessible |
Nesting and Habitat
Honey Bee Hives
Honey bees are social insects that live in colonies. They typically create nests in trees or in artificial structures, like beekeepers’ hives.
These hives are made of waxy structures called honeycombs. Honey bees use honeycombs for storing honey and raising their young called larvae.
A few key features of honey bee hives:
- Made of hexagonal cells
- Store honey and pollen
- Contain a brood chamber for larvae
Carpenter Bee Tunnels
Carpenter bees are solitary insects, and unlike honey bees, they build their nests individually. They prefer nesting in softwood trees, or in the wooden structures of human-made constructions.
Male carpenter bees usually protect and guard the entrance to the tunnels, while females excavate the tunnels and lay eggs.
Some characteristics of carpenter bee tunnels:
- Usually found in wood
- Tunnels can be up to 10 inches long
- Chambers have individual egg cells
Comparison Table: Honey Bee Hives and Carpenter Bee Tunnels
| Property | Honey Bee Hives | Carpenter Bee Tunnels |
|---|---|---|
| Habitat | Trees, artificial hives | Softwood trees, wooden structures |
| Social Structure | Social, in colonies | Solitary |
| Nest Material | Wax | Wood |
| Nest Shape | Hexagonal cells | Tunnels, chambers |
| Food Storage | Yes | No |
| Raising Young | In hive | In individual cells |
In summary, honey bees and carpenter bees have distinct and unique nesting habits, and understanding their differences can help with proper identification and interactions with these fascinating creatures.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Honey Bee Lifecycle
Honey bees belong to the order of insects called Hymenoptera and are classified as eusocial insects. They consist of a queen (reproductive female), workers (non-reproductive females), and drones (males).
The life cycle of a honey bee consists of four stages:
- Egg
- Larva
- Pupa
- Adult
A honey bee colony’s life cycle begins when the queen bee lays eggs in hexagonal cells within the hive.
Worker bees then tend to the eggs, eventually becoming larvae, and then pupae. Adult bees emerge after going through these stages.
Carpenter Bee Lifecycle
Carpenter bees are another type of bees in the Hymenoptera order but are solitary insects. The female carpenter bee can lay eggs without mating with a male bee. The lifecycle consists of the following stages:
- Egg
- Larva
- Pupa
- Adult
The female carpenter bee excavates a tunnel in the wood to lay eggs. After the eggs hatch, they go through the larval and pupal stages before becoming adults.
Comparison Table:
| Feature | Honey Bee | Carpenter Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Sociality | Eusocial insects (queen, worker, drones) | Solitary insects |
| Reproduction | Queen lays eggs in hexagonal cells | Female lays eggs in excavated wood tunnels |
| Mating | Queen mates with drones | Female can lay eggs without mating |
| Stages | Egg, Larva, Pupa, Adult | Egg, Larva, Pupa, Adult |
Physical and Behavioral Characteristics
Stinging and Venom
Honey bees and carpenter bees have different characteristics when it comes to stinging and venom.
Honey bees possess a barbed stinger and can usually sting only once, whereas carpenter bees (only females) have a smooth stinger allowing for multiple stings.
Note, however, that female carpenter bees are not aggressive because they are solitary insects.
To summarize:
- Honey bees: Barbed stinger; sting once; leave a stinger behind
- Carpenter bees: Smooth stinger; sting multiple times; do not leave stinger
While both bees can sting, honey bee venom tends to cause more pronounced reactions in humans, ranging from mild discomfort to severe allergic responses.
Carpenter bee venom is less potent by comparison, and its sting is typically milder.
Carpenter Bee
Territorial Behavior
In terms of territorial behavior, honey bees and carpenter bees show distinct differences. Honey bees are social insects that live in large colonies and may demonstrate defensive behavior to protect their hive and queen.
On the other hand, carpenter bees are solitary creatures and display less aggressive behavior. Key aspects of their territorial behavior:
Honey bees:
- Live in large colonies
- Defend hive and queen
- Can be aggressive when threatened
Carpenter bees:
- Solitary insects
- Less aggressive
- Defend their nests, but to a lesser extent
Honey bees swarming
Feeding and Nutrition
Both honey bees and carpenter bees feed on nectar and pollen, with some differences in their preferences and feeding habits.
Honey bees gather nectar from a wide variety of flowers, using their long proboscis (mouthpart). Carpenter bees possess a shorter proboscis, limiting them to feeding on more open flowers.
| Honey Bees | Carpenter Bees | |
|---|---|---|
| Mouthpart | Long proboscis | Short proboscis |
| Flower type | Wide variety | More open flowers |
Behavioral Adaptations
Honey bees and carpenter bees, while both integral to our ecosystems, exhibit distinct behavioral adaptations that enable them to thrive in their respective environments.
Honey Bees
Foraging Behavior:
Honey bees exhibit sophisticated foraging behavior, utilizing the “waggle dance” to communicate the location of food sources to their hive mates.
This dance conveys the distance and direction of flowers, allowing other bees to efficiently locate nectar and pollen.
Division of Labor:
Within a honey bee colony, there is a clear division of labor among worker bees, drones, and the queen.
Worker bees perform various tasks such as foraging, nursing, guarding, and cleaning, while the queen focuses on laying eggs, and drones are responsible for mating with the queen.
Swarming:
Swarming is a reproductive strategy where a new honey bee colony is formed. When a hive becomes overcrowded, the queen and a group of worker bees leave to establish a new colony, ensuring the survival and propagation of their species.
Thermoregulation:
Honey bees maintain the temperature of their hive through collective efforts. In cold weather, they cluster together to generate heat, while in hot weather, they fan their wings to circulate air and cool the hive.
Honey bee
Carpenter Bees
Solitary Nesting:
Unlike social honey bees, carpenter bees are solitary insects. Each female carpenter bee independently builds and provisions her nest, typically in wood, where she lays her eggs.
Territorial Defense:
Male carpenter bees are known for their territorial behavior. They often hover near nests and aggressively approach any intruders, although they lack a stinger and are harmless.
Nectar Robbing:
Carpenter bees sometimes engage in “nectar robbing,” where they cut slits in the flowers’ base to access nectar without entering the flower and thus, not aiding in pollination.
Buzz Pollination:
Carpenter bees are adept at buzz pollination, a technique where they vibrate their flight muscles to release pollen from certain types of flowers, benefiting plants like tomatoes that require this form of pollination.
Damage and Prevention
Honey Bee Impact on Human Structures
Honey bees are essential to agriculture as pollinators. Generally, they don’t cause structural damage to houses or other buildings.
However, if a honey bee nest is established within a structure, it can cause some issues:
- Presence of honey and wax, which may attract other pests
- Potential for structural weakness due to the weight of the hive.
To prevent honey bees from nesting in human structures, seal any openings and remove potential nesting areas. It’s essential to use proper precautions and consult a professional when dealing with honey bee hives.
Honey bees
Carpenter Bee Structural Damage
Unlike honey bees, carpenter bees can cause significant structural damage to wooden structures. They drill holes using their strong mandibles, creating tunnels to lay eggs and protect their larvae. Damages include:
- Tunnels weakening the wood over time
- Woodpecker activity, as they search for larvae
- Damage to trees, which may affect their health and stability
- Peeling paint due to the bees’ constant activity.
| Carpenter Bee Damage | Honey Bee Damage |
|---|---|
| Tunnels in wood | Honey and wax |
| Woodpecker activity | N/A |
| Damage to trees | N/A |
| Peeling paint | N/A |
To prevent carpenter bee damage, you can:
- Paint or stain wooden structures, as they prefer untreated wood
- Regularly inspect wood for any signs of tunneling
- Use pesticides specifically designed for carpenter bees, following all label directions
- Place wire mesh around vulnerable areas, like tree trunks and eaves.
Overall, both honey bees and carpenter bees have impacts on human structures.
Understanding the differences and taking the appropriate preventive measures can minimize potential damage and promote a harmonious environment.
Varieties and Distribution
Honey Bee Species and Distribution
Honey bees are not native to North America, but they have become essential to ecosystems and agriculture.
They were brought to the New World by European settlers in the 17th century, predominantly the subspecies Apis mellifera mellifera, known as the German or “black” bee. Honey bees can also be found in Africa and Europe.
Examples of honey bee species:
- Apis mellifera: Common honey bee (Europe, Africa, and Asia)
- Apis mellifera scutellata: Africanized honey bee (Africa)
Carpenter Bee Species and Distribution
Carpenter bees are native to North America, including the eastern carpenter bee (Xylocopa virginica), which can be found as far south as Florida and Texas and as far north as Maine and southern Canada.
Carpenter bee
Carpenter bees are also present in Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Examples of carpenter bee species:
- Xylocopa virginica: Eastern carpenter bee (North America)
- Xylocopa valga: European carpenter bee (Europe)
Comparison Table: Honey Bee vs Carpenter Bee
| Feature | Honey Bee | Carpenter Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Sociality | Social | Solitary |
| Habitat | Hives | Wood |
| Distribution | Europe, Africa, North America | North America, Africa, Asia, Europe |
| Pollination role | High importance for agriculture | Great for local plant species |
Comparing with Other Bees and Insects
Bumble Bees
Bumble bees are large, hairy insects that can be black and yellow or black and white1. They are often mistaken for carpenter bees but have key differences, such as:
Bumble bee
Sweat Bees
Sweat bees are small bees that are attracted to human sweat, which is where they get their name. Here is a quick comparison between them and honey bees:
Wasps and Hornets
Wasps and hornets, like bees, belong to the insect order Hymenoptera3. Here are some key differences between them and bees:
| Honey Bees | Carpenter Bees | Bumble Bees | Sweat Bees | Wasps & Hornets | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social? | Yes | No | Yes | No | No (mostly) |
| Nests | Hives | Wood tunnels4 | Ground1 | Ground | Various |
| Aggressiveness | Low | Low | Low | Low | High |
| Pollinator? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
In conclusion, bees, wasps, and hornets differ in key areas like nesting habits, aggressiveness, and whether they are solitary or social.
Understanding their similarities and differences can help us better appreciate and protect these insects.
Conclusion
In conclusion, honey bees and carpenter bees, while both vital pollinators, exhibit stark differences in physical characteristics, behavior, and ecological roles.
Honey bees, social and structured, are indispensable in agriculture, whereas solitary carpenter bees play a significant role in local ecosystems.
Their unique nesting habits, feeding preferences, and behavioral adaptations underline the diversity within the bee kingdom.
Understanding and appreciating these differences are crucial for fostering coexistence and ensuring the conservation of these remarkable species.
Footnotes
- https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/honey-bees-bumble-bees-carpenter-bees-and-sweat-bees.html ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5
- https://extension.umd.edu/resource/carpenter-bees ↩ ↩2 ↩3
- https://extension.psu.edu/the-eastern-carpenter-bee-beneficial-pollinator-or-unwelcome-houseguest ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4
- Carpenter Bees | NC State Extension Publications ↩
Reader Emails
Over the years, our website, whatsthatbug.com has received hundreds of letters and some interesting images asking us about carpenter bees. Scroll down to have a look at some of them.
Letter 1 – Carpenter Bee from South Africa
Subject: What is this bee type please and is it dangerous?
Location: Johnannesburg
March 14, 2016 10:35 am
Hi there
We have discovered a bee hive in our chimney and found this guy in our driveway and were wondering if you have any information about him/her particularly dangerous or normal bee?
Signature: Alan, JHB
Dear Alan,
We believe we have correctly identified your Carpenter Bee as Xylocopa caffra thanks to this image on iSpot, and iSpot images here and here look similar, however most of the images on iSpot depict yellow banded individuals like this rather than having bluish white bands on the body, and we are not certain what that means.
According to Wikipedia: “The females are black with two white or yellow bands over the hind thorax and first abdominal segment respectively, while the males are uniform greenish yellow in colour. Females with white bands are associated with dry climatic conditions during larval development, but females of either colour, or colour grade, may emerge from the same brood.
In the Western Cape all have yellow bands however. A form with orange-red bands occurs in East Africa.” Female Carpenter Bees are capable of stinging, but they are not aggressive, and we rarely learn of a person being stung.
Letter 2 – Carpenter Bee from Portugal
Subject: Unindentified Wasp (?)
Location: Monte de Caparica, Almada, Portugal, Europe
October 6, 2013 5:02 pm
Hello!
I’ve been struggling to identify this bug that me and my family found inside perfectly circular tunnels ”digged” in the branches of a tree (jacaranda tree) when we were cutting some old ones. This happenened in Portugal.
We caught one of the ”wasps”, but they we’re something like 20 in total, spread through different branches.
The photos aren’t the best, but I found a person asking for the identification of the same animal with a great photo, only from Victoria, Australia (!). This photo from Australia is identified in the file name.
I’ve been told the wasps couldn’t ”dig” those tunnels, and that’s it, because no one knows wich wasp is it.
Hope this is not much of a challenge to you, but if it is, I hope you have fun with it!
Thank you so much!
Signature: Mariana
Dear Mariana,
The photo you attached from Australia is a Scoliid Wasp, but you have Carpenter Bees. The Life in Galicia blog has a charming, though very unscientific account.
We then found this article form The Independent, a UK site, that indicates England has been invaded by a mainland species of Carpenter Bee, Xylocopa violacea. TrekNature has a lovely photo of Xylocopa violacea. We cannot say for certain that is your species, but we are confident you have Carpenter Bees.
Dear Daniel,
Thank you so much! For both (!) identifications and the sources for more information.
I guess I would never get it right since I was looking for wasps instead of bees 😉
Keep up the great work!
I now can tell my family the bugs didn’t kill the branches, they were dead to start with, that they’re as innofensive as they seem dangerous and that we should think twice if we have any untreated wood laying around in the garden we don’t want them to start nesting in.
Have a nice week!
Thank you!
Mariana
Letter 3 – Carpenter Bee from the Philippines
Subject: What bug is this
Location: Baguio City, Philippines
April 3, 2017 8:21 pm
I can’t seem to find what kind of is this. Please help me. I want to share how beautiful this bug is. ?
I live in the coldest city in a tropical county. It’s near summer but the city is still affected by cool northeast winds (amihan season), about 15 to 25 degrees Celsius typical temperature in a day.
Signature: Kasi
Dear Kasi,
We are quite confident that this is a male Carpenter Bee, but we have not had any luck locating an image from the Philippines to verify our suspicion. Here is a North American male Carpenter Bee for comparison. Perhaps one of our readers will be able to assist with a matching photo.
Letter 4 – Carpenter Bee Perhaps
August 16, 2010
Hello Daniel,
Thanks for your quick response and thorough information. I’m sorry about the cropped pic. My son took the pic and IM’ed it to me. If I can get a better one from him, I will email it to you. My brother and I are very interested in bugs. We have said that since our weather here in Ohio has been very hot and humid this summer and likened to the southern US climate that we may start to see insects indigenous to that area migrating up north.
We feel this is an interesting concept and worth the watch. If I notice this then I will email you the info.
I have questions that maybe you can answer. This is regarding the black bumblebee with the fuzzy yellow back. In years past, we would see the regular size bumblebee going from flower to flower gathering pollen and there would be many seen. In more recent years (about five to ten years), this started to change.
The bumblebees gathering the pollen are much smaller, few in numbers and now we see huge bumblebees with long thick abdomens in the spring hanging around carports and garages in groups of two to five, and they appear as though they are fighting each other. They have no interest in humans walking past. Their focus is strictly on attacking the other bumblebees.
I looked at the BugGuide and there is no listing of the bumblebee as even being in Ohio. As I said, they were plentiful here and we still have them, but few of them are seen today except for what I described. Do you have any information about this and do you know what this spring ritual is?
My brother and I appreciate your information.
Kathy C. Seeman
Hi Kathy,
Without a photo, it would be difficult to be certain, but perhaps your large fighting bees are Carpenter Bees. See BugGuide for information.
Someone posted pictures of this Bee here. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1844925835532099&set=pcb.2013705178904727&type=3
Good day
I read you article regarding the Carpenter bee. I just want to inform you regarding this insect. I was stung by it on Monday the 19th of September 2022.
It hurt like hell when it happen. The next day it starts to make like your normal bee; itching and swelling with a red of color.
Thank you for sharing the article.
We have plenty of them at our place in Limpopo, they are a problem because of the holes they make. Yesterday one of them came in the car and stung my daughter. Shame that was very very hurtful. I gave her allergex, something for the pain and Anethaine (local anaesthetic cream)… it helped but today her arm was swollen a lot and warm. It is very itchy with pain as well.