Xiphydriid Maple Borer vs Green Carpenter Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Xiphydriid Maple Borer Green Carpenter Bee
Scientific Name Xiphydria maculata Xylocopa aerata
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Xiphydriidae Apidae
Size 10-18 mm 15-20 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Wood Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions North America Australia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Xiphydriid Maple Borer

A slender wood wasp with a long, narrow neck region and dark body spotted with pale markings. Females bore into hardwood trees, especially maples.

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Did You Know?

Xiphydriid wood wasps are rarely seen despite being widespread, as they are secretive insects that spend most of their life cycle deep inside wood.

Green Carpenter Bee

A striking carpenter bee with a metallic green or golden-green thorax found only in Australia. It nests in soft dead wood and pithy plant stems.

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Did You Know?

It is one of only a handful of bee species in the world with vivid metallic green body coloring in the genus Xylocopa.