Insect · GBIF taxon 1342108
Violet Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa violaceaAlso known as European Violet Carpenter Bee
Violet carpenter bees emerge in early spring, recognizable by their massive, dark metallic bodies and brilliant iridescent blue-purple wings. Females excavate nesting tunnels inside dead wood or old timber using their powerful jaws, provisioning brood chambers with balls of nectar-enriched pollen. Gentle and solitary, these efficient pollinators forage across a wide range of garden flowers and wild flora from southern Europe to East Asia.
PollinatorSolitary BeeIridescent
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Nectar
- Pollen
Predators
- Insectivorous birds
- Spiders
- Robber flies
ThreatsPesticide exposure, removal of standing deadwood
HabitatsGardens, orchards, woodland edges, urban parks
Life span1–2 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyApidae
- SpeciesXylocopa violacea
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Females can sting if squeezed or handled; maintain a respectful distance near nesting wood.
- Why it is dangerous
- Females possess a sting capable of injecting venom, which can trigger severe allergic reactions in sensitized individuals.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for a large black body exceeding two centimeters with dark wings reflecting vivid violet blue in direct sunlight.
- What to do
- Avoid grasping or trapping the insect against skin, and leave occupied wooden nesting tunnels undisturbed.
Responsible observation
- Nesting Habitat: Leave standing dead branches or untreated wooden blocks in sunny spots to provide nest sites.
- Close Observation: Watch foraging adults on sunlit blooms, as these docile bees rarely sting unless trapped.
- Garden Flora: Plant nectar-rich legumes, wisteria, and lavender to support local populations.
Competitor Andreas Trepte / CC BY-SA 2.5 · cc-by-sa
Frequent Companion Marco Almbauer / CC0 · cc0
Close Relative (c) Christopher Eliot, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Christopher Eliot · cc-by
Close Relative
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