Subject: Big black bug with blue wings
Geographic location of the bug: Czech Republic, South Moravia
Date: 07/09/2018
Time: 09:44 AM EDT
Your letter to the bugman: Hello, I’ve seen this bug on the sideway, we’ve seen anything like this never before.
Any ideas what is it?
How you want your letter signed: Nice but unknown bug
This is a Violet Carpenter Bee, Xylocopa violacea, a species we identified on iNaturalist. Perhaps due to global warming, it has recently been reported from the UK where it has spread from its normal rage that included continental Europe. According to Independent: “Even though it is one of the scariest-looking insects you’re ever likely to catch sight of (typically measuring at least 25mm in length but appearing considerably larger in flight), it is the violet, not the violent carpenter bee. A killer bee it is not; it is not aggressive and is unlikely to sting you. The name comes from the violet wings, which appear to give a blue sheen to its black body when in flight.” According to Life In Galicia: “they are harmless – only the female can sting but will do so only if directly provoked. The male just buzzes about, guards the nest and looks after the female.”