Subject: Odd discovery in SOUth Africa- What bee is this?
Geographic location of the bug: Eastern Coastline of SOuth Africa – Eastern Cape
Date: 09/22/2021
Time: 06:42 AM EDT
Your letter to the bugman: Hi Bugman – my mother found this bee in Mbotyi – the Eastern Cape town in South AFrica. It looks like a Valley Carpenter bee which is highly unlikely – can you assist?
How you want your letter signed: Jason M
Dear Jason,
This is a Carpenter Bee, just not the Valley Carpenter Bee which is native to the North American southwest. We believe your individual is a Male Carpenter Bee: Xyclocopa caffra, based on this image posted on USGS Science for a Changing World.