Xylocopa violacea
Violet Carpenter Bee - a common European species. One of the largest in Europe. Their name comes from the females boring tunnels in dead wood for nesting. The female creates the nest solely by herself. Female carpenter bees are capable of stinging, but they are docile and rarely sting unless caught in the hand or otherwise directly provoked. The male has no sting. Photographed in Olhão Portugal. Some rare sightings have been made in Ireland and Britain.
John Foss Nature Photography Birds Wild Flowers Wildlife Butterflies Moths Greaghnafarna Ballinaglera Ireland Leitrim Derby England UK Algarve Portugal
