A large fuzzy golden bee stands on a cluster of flowers, collecting pollen

#Xylocopa varipuncta. This is a male valley Carpenter bee, also called a teddy bear bee. It lacks a stinger, has bright green eyes, and is known to puncture flowers at the base to steal the nectar.
I love these fuzzy large guys!

#bugs #bees #teddybearbee #carpenterbee #insects #entomology 🪲 🐛 🐝

At Cottontail Acres: I don't think I've previously seen a male valley carpenter bee, popularly known as the teddy bear bee (the females are black). This one hovered around the apricot tree for about five minutes.
#bee #insect #teddybearbee