The Valley Carpenter Bee is the largest bee in California, with females entirely black and fuzzy and males strikingly golden-tan — so different they were described as separate species for years. Males patrol territories aggressively but are completely harmless as they lack stingers. Females bore into soft wood and eucalyptus to construct nest galleries.
Best time to see a Valley Carpenter Bee
The best time to see a Valley Carpenter Bee is March–June, when about 65% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 11,209 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Valley Carpenter Bee? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Valley Carpenter Bee sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
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