Common name(s): Bamboo carpenter bee
A large bee, reaching 26mm. Fully black. Wings with metallic blue, green and purple colours under sunlight. This species is not as sexually dimorphic (distinguishable) as many other species are, but the male can be recognized easily enough by the front of his head between the eyes being white or whitish-yellow.
This species is quite widely distributed across South China, and is probably the most common species in Hong Kong.
This species is commonly seen feeding from flowers, and can be found in urban parks throughout spring and summer. It is far more specialized in nesting habits than other species, and nests only in bamboo stems. These bamboo stems are used locally as scaffolding and to support small trees, as well as to make broom handles. Therefore, this species is common even in urban areas.
The male of this species defends his territory vigorously. This is usually around 10 feet high, among the leaves of a tree. The males frequently get into rather aggressive fights, sometimes with both falling to the ground, although serious damage is seldom done.