Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa, Anthophoridae, Hymenoptera) on Fort Tejon Milk-Aster (Stephanomeria cichoriacea, Asteraceae)
This is a large black Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa, Anthophoridae, Hymenoptera) pushing off from an autumn flower of Fort Tejon Milk-Aster aka Chicory-leaved Stephanomeria (Stephanomeria cichoriacea) in the Asteraceae plant family. This one doesn't have the eaves of our house to drill it's nest holes in. I wonder where it lives? (East Camino Cielo, Santa Ynez Mountains, 24 September 2014)
Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa, Anthophoridae, Hymenoptera) on Fort Tejon Milk-Aster (Stephanomeria cichoriacea, Asteraceae)
This is a large black Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa, Anthophoridae, Hymenoptera) pushing off from an autumn flower of Fort Tejon Milk-Aster aka Chicory-leaved Stephanomeria (Stephanomeria cichoriacea) in the Asteraceae plant family. This one doesn't have the eaves of our house to drill it's nest holes in. I wonder where it lives? (East Camino Cielo, Santa Ynez Mountains, 24 September 2014)