How to Tell a Female Carpenter Bee From a Male Carpenter Bee

Carpenter bees (the genus Xylocopa in the subfamily Xylocopinae) live throughout the world wherever woody plants abound, especially in forested regions. Many species live in the tropics. These bees resemble bumble bees, but they do not have the yellow markings. They are large, hairy bees. Being able to determine the gender of a carpenter bee is very easy. The characteristics between the two sexes are very distinct.

Take a look at the bee's behavior. Male carpenter bees often exhibit defensive behavior by flying around the heads of people who approach their nests.

Watch the bees to see if they fly in and out of nest holes and pay no attention to people. If you notice this type of behavior, it is a female bee. They have no desire to sting anyone unless extremely provoked.

Witnessing a carpenter bee outside means it is most likely a male. Females spend the majority of their short lives inside the nesting gallery, preparing food, laying eggs and closing up the brood cell with wood pulp.

Notice the stinger of the bees. Male carpenter bees have no stingers; they are harmless. Female carpenter bees do have stingers.

Look at the bodies of the bees. Male carpenter bees have a white, or cream-color spot on their heads between mandibles, and they appear to have a white "nose" on the face. A female carpenter bee does not have the spot.