Carpenter Bees
 Honey Bees
Wasps |
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(Genus Xylocopa)
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Appearance:
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Large, about 1 inch, resemble bumblebees; some species may have
a blue-black, green or purple metallic sheen; no hair on abdomen.
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Habits:
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Often burrow into the exposed, unfinished dry wood of
buildings, telephone poles, fence posts and bridges; prefer softer woods for nesting; not
social insects, although individuals may establish burrows close to each other.
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Diet:
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Pollen and nectar.
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Reproduction:
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Complete one generation per year in most of the U.S.; mature from egg to adult in
from 84 to 99 days; female furnishes nest with "bee bread," a mixture of pollen
and regurgitated nectar, and lays an egg on top of it.
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Other Info:
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Damage to wood from a pair of bees is slight, but a larger
number can, over a period of time, cause considerable damage; do not sting, make loud
buzzing noise when flying.
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 Click on picture for
larger image -- (500 x 311 -- 29 k)
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(Order Hymenoptera)
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Appearance:
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Most species of concern to man have yellow and black coloring; 7/16 to 5/8 inch
long; appear to have hairy bodies.
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Habits:
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Live in colonies of 20,000 to 80,000 individuals; will leave
humans alone if not provoked.
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Diet:
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Nectar and pollen.
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Reproduction:
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Only one egg-laying queen in a hive; queen may live as long as
5 years and lay as many as 1,500 to 2,000 eggs per day; worker females protect eggs and
the young; drones' only duty is to mate with queen, after which they die.
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Other Info:
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Stings can be painful, but are harmless to most people;
however, dangerous allergic reactions can occur.
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(Order
Hymenoptera)
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Appearance:
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Variety of shapes and colors; can be distinguished from bees by their smooth,
rather than hairy, bodies; 1/2 to 3/4 inch long.
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Habits:
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Exhibit predatory and scavenging behavior; some species are
solitary, while others live in colonies which may number thousands of individuals.
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Diet:
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Primarily protein, such as spiders, soft-bodied insects and
small animals.
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Reproduction:
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Social wasps begin a nest with one queen laying all eggs for
colony; if a queen dies, a worker can take over egg-laying function until colony produces
new queen.
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Other Info:
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Very protective of their nests; will defend against invaders
with painful stings.
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