Xylocopa Latipes: The Tropical Carpenter Bee

Xylocopa latipes, commonly called the tropical carpenter bee, is a species of carpenter bee whose habitat is often found in Southeast Asia. Just like its close relative, Xylocopa violacea or commonly known as the violet carpenter bee, X. latipes also inhabits forests in tropical climates and builds nests by digging holes into wood.

In terms of shape and color on their bodies, there is no difference between the X. latipes and X. violacea, except for their eyes. The first species has pandan green eyes, while the other species has dark purple eyes.

These photos were taken by me in the Jeulikat forest area, Lhokseumawe. While capturing the carpenter's photos, it seemed to invite me to play hide and seek with it. The carpenter buzzing loudly and flit away several times, but then come back to where it had landed before.