Location: Singapore Poly – Dover – March 2023

Xylocopa caerulea is on Singapore Stamps 1985 Insects Definitives Series

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• Yellow thorax
• Sides of head without white hairs
• Wings are bluish green

Xylocopa comes from the Greek word “xylokopos”, meaning woodcutter. ‘Xyl’ as in xylem refers to wood, while ‘kopos’ stems from koptein, which means to cut off. The name refers to the unique ability of Xylocopa bees to excavate and utilize wooden structures as nests.

Carpenter Bee Starter Facts by Wiki-NUS

1. They can sting multiple times – Unlike honey bees which have hooked stings, many bees including the carpenter bee have straight stings and can therefore sting repeatedly. However, only females have stings and are reluctant even so to sting unless under extreme provocation (for example, in defence of their nesting holes)
2. They have 5 eyes in total! – They have 2 compound eyes and 3 simple eyes. The simple eyes are called ocelli (singular ocellus) and are simple light receptors

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• Black thorax and abdomen
• Males have broadened front legs

Xylocopa latipes, the tropical carpenter bee, is a species of carpenter bee widely dispersed throughout Southeast Asia. As its name suggests, this bee inhabits forests in warm tropical climates and constructs nests by burrowing into wood. Wikipedia

Easily Spotted in Singapore Parks, Hort Park, Choa Chu Kang Park.

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