Purple (blue) bumblebee carpenter

Black bumblebee - an insect that can be met by residents of Turkey, South European countries and Ukraine, it is also protected in the reserves of Yalta and Crimea. Usually an individual with blue or rather purple wings is found in attics under the roofs of residential buildings. There she builds a nest in rafters and beams, gnawing thick channels. Because of this, representatives of this species are often referred to as "wood bumblebee." About the features of the insect and its lifestyle tells this article.

Description

Black insect similar to bumblebee. is a representative of the species of solitary bees of the Apidae family of the subgenus Xylocopa (xylocop). An individual of this species is very large - its body length can reach up to 3 cm. The magnificent pollinator of flowering plants has a blue-black color, with the head and chest having a pronounced metallic luster. On the head of the insect there are quite powerful jaws, thanks to which it can gnaw wood. They are especially well developed in females involved in the construction of nests in wood.

On a note!

Female individuals gnaw out not only shavings, with their powerful jaws they are able to bite off very large pieces of wood.

The main feature of the representative xylocopus are blue or purple wings. Insects also possess shaggy legs on which they carry pollen (photo of a blue bumblebee is presented below).

On a note!

The velvet black bumblebee, referred to as earthen. This is one of the most common insects in our country (a photo of a black bumblebee of this species can be seen below).

Like their relatives, xylopods have a sting. And the fact that the purple bumblebee bites, I had to make sure many. Bumblebee bite carpenter is very painful and can be accompanied by a strong allergic reaction.

Important!

A bumblebee bite can pose a threat to human life when applied to the neck. Therefore, if a beetle similar to a bumblebee is found, it is preferable to avoid too close contact with it.

Lifestyle

The wood pest is a single insect. Although representatives of the feminine are able to live together with similar individuals. Despite the fact that pollinators of flowers do not differ in aggressiveness, females are able to sting in case of danger.

From hibernation, adults wake up in the second half of spring. Then they mate and go in search of a suitable place for arranging the nest.

Upholstered in wooden elements, the purple bumblebee carpenter gnaws out there rather voluminous twisting labyrinths, arranging partitions from shredded wood. Insects store pollen there. Having collected the required amount, the females begin to lay eggs. In each cell they lay one egg, leaving there also an edible stock in the form of pollen. At the end of this process, the expectant mother seals the entrance, from which the hatched larvae are forced to independently develop. Outwardly, young offspring are selected after wintering, turning into adults.

How to get rid

Evidence that a black bumblebee with blue wings nibbles the wood is a fairly loud sound. Having discovered it, many summer residents seek to get rid of the purple bumblebee as soon as possible.

On a note!

However, it should be borne in mind that insects usually settle in softwood. And this fact is evidence of the need to replace the damaged area of ​​the wooden structure.

Black insects will not have to be fought if the elements of the wooden structure are processed and painted. If it was possible to detect holes in a wooden surface, you must use metal shavings, glue or sealant. The process of getting rid of black xylocop will not pose a danger to humans when using personal protective equipment.