Image of Eastern Carpenter Bee

Description:

Under a relatively low magnification of only 250x, this scanning electron micrograph (SEM) depicted some of the ultrastructural morphologic features displayed on the surface of a carpenter bee's, Xylocopa virginica head. This particular bee was found deceased on the grounds of the Decatur, Georgia suburbs, an area where these insects are quite common. Carpenter bees can be quite a nuisance, for they are well known as wood-borers, and can create many unsightly holes in a home's wooden components.
Created: 2006