Broad-handed carpenter bee (Xylocopa latipes)

Broad-handed carpenter bee (Xylocopa latipes) is a species of large, robust, solitary bee belonging to the family Apidae. These bees construct nests by boring into various objects—ranging from fallen tree trunks to utility poles—in both forested and urban areas within warm, tropical climates.

X. latipes possesses a glossy black body, with wings that exhibit a metallic blue, green, or purple sheen when exposed to sunlight. The species features a pair of large eyes and antennae with broad bases.



The dorsal side bears a horizontal line. The abdomen is oval-shaped and composed of several segments, with its broad margins and dorsal surface covered in dense hair. In flight, these insects produce a distinct, loud, low-pitched buzzing sound.

Mating occurs in mid-air; the male grasps the female and positions his forelegs or midlegs—which are adorned with tufts of long, fine setae—over her compound eyes. The broad forelegs of the male serve to collect and trap oils and scents that play a role during the mating process.

As a multivoltine species, these bees rely on the availability of floral resources within their habitat. They typically select dead wood, soft-stemmed plant material, or bamboo culms for nesting, using their mandibles to excavate 3–5 tunnels, each measuring 11 cm in length and 2.1–2.3 cm in diameter.

TAXON

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Subclass: Pterygota
Order: Hymenoptera
Suborder: Apocrita
Infraorder: Aculeata
Superfamily: Apoidea
Epifamily: Anthophila
Family: Apidae
Subfamily: Xylocopinae
Tribe: Xylocopini
Genus: Xylocopa Latreille (1802)
Subgenus: Platynopoda
Species: Xylocopa latipes Drury (1773)

SYNONYMS

Apis latipes Drury (1773)

VERNACULAR NAME

Chinese (simplified): 扁柄木蜂
Chinese (traditional): 扁柄木蜂
English: Broad-handed carpenter bee, Tropical carpenter bee, Giant bornean carpenter bee
Indonesian: Lebah kayu lebar
Java: Wangwung kayu
Spanish: Abejorro carpintero de patas anchas
Thai: แมลงภู่ยักษ์แขนใหญ่

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