Fauna
Insect

Violet Carpenter Bee

Xylocopa violacea

Also 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
Violet Carpenter Bee reference1 / 7
(c) Thomas Bresson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyNectar, Pollen
Predators
  • Insectivorous birds
  • Spiders
  • Robber flies
ThreatsPesticide exposure, removal of standing deadwood
HabitatsGardens, orchards, woodland edges, urban parks
Life span1–2 years
Classification
  1. OrderHymenoptera
  2. FamilyApidae
  3. GenusXylocopa
  4. SpeciesXylocopa violacea
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. 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.
Related species
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