The Valley Carpenter Bee

Here are photos of male and female valley carpenter bees, The males are golden colored, and have green eyes, whereas the females are mostly dark. These specimens were collected by Will Glover, in Valley Springs, Calaveras County, late September 2014, in a woodpile.

Click on a photo to enlarge it.

 

Female (black, top) and male (golden, bottom) valley carpenter bees.
Female (black, top) and male (golden, bottom) valley carpenter bees.
Here is a side by side comparison of the faces of the male (left) and female (right) valley carpenter bee. The images are not scaled the same, so please do not try to compare relative size from them. Do notice the difference in the overall appearance, and that in the female, the face is higher, going above the top of the eyes. For example, the antenna joint in the male is above the top of the head.
Here is a side by side comparison of the faces of the male (left) and female (right) valley carpenter bee. The images are not scaled the same, so please do not try to compare relative size from them. Do notice the difference in the overall appearance, and that in the female, the face is higher, going above the top of the eyes. For example, the antenna joint in the male is above the top of the head.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The face of the MALE valley carpenter bee. Note the green eyes.
The face of the MALE valley carpenter bee. Note the green eyes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The face of the female valley carpenter bee
The face of the female valley carpenter bee
Abdomen of Male Valley Carpenter Bee
Abdomen of Male Valley Carpenter Bee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ventral View of Thorax of Male Valley Carpenter Bee
Ventral View of Thorax of Male Valley Carpenter Bee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Focus on Antenna of Male Valley Carpenter Bee
Focus on Antenna of Male Valley Carpenter Bee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ocelli of Male Valley Carpenter Bee
Ocelli of Male Valley Carpenter Bee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tarsus and Tarsal Claw of Female Valley Carpenter Bee
Tarsus and Tarsal Claw of Female Valley Carpenter Bee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tip of Antenna of Male Valley Carpenter Bee
Tip of Antenna of Male Valley Carpenter Bee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ventral View of Tip of Abdomen, Male Valley Carpenter Bee.
Ventral View of Tip of Abdomen, Male Valley Carpenter Bee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The front leg tarsus, and tarsal claws, of male valley carpenter bee.
The front leg tarsus, and tarsal claws, of male valley carpenter bee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mouthparts of Male Valley Carpenter Bee
Mouthparts of Male Valley Carpenter Bee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This image if the back of the head, showing the mouthparts of the male valley carpenter bee.
This image if the back of the head, showing the mouthparts of the male valley carpenter bee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In this close-up of the tongue (glossa) of the valley carpenter bee, we can see the tip, called the flabellum.
In this close-up of the tongue (glossa) of the valley carpenter bee, we can see the tip, called the flabellum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In this male valley carpenter bee, we see the galea (sheath-like structure), and the glossa (the hairy tongue).
In this male valley carpenter bee, we see the galea (sheath-like structure), and the glossa (the hairy tongue).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another image of the face of the male valley carpenter bee.
Another image of the face of the male valley carpenter bee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A close-up of the eye of the male valley carpenter bee.
A close-up of the eye of the male valley carpenter bee.
Face of Female Valley Carpenter Bee (2)
Face of Female Valley Carpenter Bee (2)

 

 

 

Foothill Sierra Pest Control