Japanese Carpenter Bee vs Common Furrow Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Japanese Carpenter Bee Common Furrow Bee
Scientific Name Xylocopa appendiculata Halictus rubicundus
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Apidae Halictidae
Size 20-25 mm 9-11 mm
Habitat Woodlands Underground
Diet Wood Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions East Asia, Japan Europe, North America, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Japanese Carpenter Bee

A large, robust carpenter bee known as 'kumabachi' (bear bee) in Japanese due to its fuzzy appearance. Builds nests by boring tunnels into dead wood. An important pollinator of many plants.

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Did You Know?

Despite their intimidating buzz and large size, Japanese carpenter bees are generally docile, and males cannot sting at all.

Common Furrow Bee

A widespread sweat bee found across the Northern Hemisphere that displays flexible social behavior. In warmer regions they are primitively eusocial; in colder climates they are solitary.

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Did You Know?

They switch between solitary and social lifestyles depending on latitude and climate, making them key to studying social evolution.