Small Carpenter Bee
Ceratina
Apidae
Ceratina
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Description
Ceratina spp. are small-to-tiny carpenter bees. They are metallic, gunmetal green/black bees, and nearly hairless. Females have a shield-shaped abdomen that smoothly ovals to a point, and a yellow mark on the clypeus (lower face: see third photo above). Males have a white anchor-shaped patch on their face (see male in second photo above). There are three submarginal cells on the wing. These bees are frequently abundant.
Nectar/
Pollen Plants
Ceratina are generalists, but do seem to prefer composite (Asteraceae-Sunflower) flowers.
Habits
Nest in hollowed-out sticks and twigs, from which they may excavate the pith. Females overwinter as adults in twigs and may use them as nests the following year. Females guard nests.
Season
March - July
