Xylocopa (Lestis) aerata

2 Golden-Green Carpenter Bee at Acton, ACT

Xylocopa (Lestis) aerata at Acton, ACT - 14 Oct 2019
Xylocopa (Lestis) aerata at Acton, ACT - 14 Oct 2019
Xylocopa (Lestis) aerata at Acton, ACT - 14 Oct 2019
Xylocopa (Lestis) aerata at Acton, ACT - 14 Oct 2019
Xylocopa (Lestis) aerata at Acton, ACT - 14 Oct 2019
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Identification history

Xylocopa aeratus 15 Oct 2019 michael.batley
Xylocopa aeratus 15 Oct 2019 TimL

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User's notes

Three female Carpenter bees were sighted on this bush. A male turned up and two of the females left. The male flew around the remaining female who then stopped collecting pollen and took up the posture seen in the images. Mating took place in the sequence shown in the images with the male initially flying close to the left side of the female as seen in the second image. Mating occurred just after the fourth image was taken. The male then backed away as seen in the last image and left, with the female going back to pollen collection. Thanks to Marcus Leach for originally locating the Carpenter bees on this plant.

2 comments

   16 Oct 2019
A lovely sequence. If more than one male is present, the female may lead them in a vertical zig-zag dance which may be part of a mate selection behaviour.
TimL wrote:
   16 Oct 2019
Thanks for this information Michael.

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Nearby sightings

Page 3 of 6 - image sightings only

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Porrostoma sp. (genus) (Lycid, Net-winged beetle) at Acton, ACT - 13 Jan 2021 by Ned_Johnston
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Mysticarion porrectus (Golden Semi-slug) at Acton, ACT - 3 Jan 2021 by Tim L
Mysticarion porrectus (Golden Semi-slug) at Acton, ACT - 3 Jan 2021 by Tim L
Zosteria rosevillensis (A robber fly) at Acton, ACT - 29 Dec 2020 by RodDeb
Mordella dumbrelli (Dumbrell's Pintail Beetle) at Acton, ACT - 27 Dec 2020 by TimL
Ctenotus taeniolatus (Copper-tailed Skink) at Acton, ACT - 26 Dec 2020 by Tapirlord
Helpis minitabunda (Threatening jumping spider) at Acton, ACT - 18 Dec 2020 by AlisonMilton
Opisthoncus sp. (genus) (Unidentified Opisthoncus jumping spider) at Acton, ACT - 18 Dec 2020 by AlisonMilton
Psaltoda moerens (Redeye cicada) at Acton, ACT - 12 Dec 2020 by TimL
Leioproctus (Leioproctus) irroratus (Yellow-shouldered Bee) at Acton, ACT - 12 Dec 2020 by PeterA
Lasioglossum (Parasphecodes) sulthicum (Furrow Bee) at Acton, ACT - 12 Dec 2020 by PeterA
Leioproctus (Leioproctus) amabilis (A plaster bee) at Acton, ACT - 12 Dec 2020 by PeterA
Euryglossa depressa (Native bee) at Acton, ACT - 10 Dec 2020 by PeterA
Xylocopa (Lestis) aerata (Golden-Green Carpenter Bee) at Acton, ACT - 9 Dec 2020 by TimL
Austroargiolestes icteromelas (Common Flatwing) at Acton, ACT - 8 Dec 2020 by Roger
Xylocopa (Lestis) aerata (Golden-Green Carpenter Bee) at Acton, ACT - 4 Dec 2020 by TimL
Austrosciapus connexus (Green long-legged fly) at Acton, ACT - 2 Dec 2020 by WHall
Stenocotis sp. (genus) (A Leafhopper) at Acton, ACT - 29 Nov 2020 by RodDeb
Psaltoda moerens (Redeye cicada) at Acton, ACT - 29 Nov 2020 by RodDeb
Xylocopa (Lestis) aerata (Golden-Green Carpenter Bee) at Acton, ACT - 26 Nov 2020 by TimL
Enicospilus CNM sp1 (An Ophioninae Wasp) at Acton, ACT - 25 Nov 2020 by Roger
Lasioglossum (Chilalictus) sp. (genus & subgenus) (Halictid bee) at Acton, ACT - 24 Nov 2020 by WHall
Nyssus albopunctatus (White-spotted swift spider) at Acton, ACT - 24 Nov 2020 by WHall
Holoplatys lhotskyi (Queensland Ultraflat) at Acton, ACT - 23 Nov 2020 by Roger
Xylocopa (Lestis) aerata (Golden-Green Carpenter Bee) at Acton, ACT - 21 Nov 2020 by TimL
Lepidoscia (genus) IMMATURE (Unidentified Cone Case Moth larva, pupa, or case) at Acton, ACT - 21 Nov 2020 by Angus44
Xylocopa (Lestis) aerata (Golden-Green Carpenter Bee) at Acton, ACT - 20 Nov 2020 by TimL
Lasioglossum (Chilalictus) bicingulatum (Halictid Bee) at Acton, ACT - 14 Nov 2020 by PeterA
Scaptia (Scaptia) auriflua (A flower-feeding march fly) at Acton, ACT - 13 Nov 2020 by HelenBoronia
Xylocopa (Lestis) aerata (Golden-Green Carpenter Bee) at Acton, ACT - 11 Nov 2020 by TimL
Lipotriches (Austronomia) ferricauda (Halictid bee) at Acton, ACT - 11 Nov 2020 by HelenBoronia
Xylocopa (Lestis) aerata (Golden-Green Carpenter Bee) at Acton, ACT - 10 Nov 2020 by TimL
Pseudonaja textilis (Eastern Brown Snake) at Acton, ACT - 7 Nov 2020 by TimL
Poecilasthena thalassias (Sea-blue Delicate) at Acton, ACT - 3 Nov 2020 by Christine
Exoneura sp. (genus) (A reed bee) at Acton, ACT - 2 Nov 2020 by PeterA
Catocheilus sp. (genus) (Smooth flower wasp) at Acton, ACT - 2 Nov 2020 by PeterA
Vanessa itea (Yellow Admiral) at Acton, ACT - 23 Oct 2020 by TimL
Saproscincus mustelinus (Weasel Skink) at Acton, ACT - 21 Oct 2020 by RodDeb
Belenois java (Caper White) at Acton, ACT - 15 Oct 2020 by JohnBundock
Vanessa itea (Yellow Admiral) at Acton, ACT - 10 Oct 2020 by TimL
Ctenotus taeniolatus (Copper-tailed Skink) at Acton, ACT - 2 Oct 2020 by TimL
Lauxaniidae (family) (Unidentified lauxaniid fly) at Acton, ACT - 28 Sep 2020 by Roger
Zoothera lunulata (Bassian Thrush) at Acton, ACT - 16 Sep 2020 by Tammy
Tetragnatha demissa (Tetragnatha demissa) at Acton, ACT - 13 Sep 2020 by TimL
Tiphiidae (family) (Unidentified Smooth flower wasp) at Acton, ACT - 8 Sep 2020 by Roger
Diapriidae (family) (Diapriid wasp) at Acton, ACT - 18 Aug 2020 by TimL
Prostheclina sp (genus) (A jumping spider) at Acton, ACT - 4 Aug 2020 by TimL
Dilophus sp. (genus) (A march fly) at Acton, ACT - 2 Aug 2020 by TimL
Eopsaltria australis (Eastern Yellow Robin) at Acton, ACT - 12 Jul 2020 by tom.tomward@gmail.com
Tipulidae or Limoniidae (family) (Unidentified Crane Fly) at Acton, ACT - 3 Jul 2020 by Christine
Ornebius sp. (genus) (Scaled Cricket) at Acton, ACT - 3 Jul 2020 by Christine
Melangyna viridiceps (Hover fly) at Acton, ACT - 1 Jul 2020 by RodDeb
Ptilonorhynchus violaceus (Satin Bowerbird) at Acton, ACT - 25 Jun 2020 by Bernadette
Opiliones (order) (Unidentified harvestman) at Acton, ACT - 22 Jun 2020 by WHall
Euryopis sp. (genus) (An ant eating spider) at Acton, ACT - 22 Jun 2020 by WHall
Coccinella transversalis (Transverse Ladybird) at Acton, ACT - 22 Jun 2020 by WHall
Hypholoma sp. (Hypholoma) at Acton, ACT - 22 Jun 2020 by WHall
Calolampra sp. (genus) (Bark cockroach) at Acton, ACT - 22 Jun 2020 by WHall
Thysanoptera (order) (Thrips) at Hackett, ACT - 21 Jun 2020 by TimL
Parmeliaceae (family) (A lichen family) at Hackett, ACT - 21 Jun 2020 by Tim L
Syrphini sp. (tribe) (Unidentified syrphine hover fly) at Acton, ACT - 19 Jun 2020 by TimL
Poecilosomella punctipennis (A lesser dung fly) at Acton, ACT - 12 Jun 2020 by Roger
Eopsaltria australis (Eastern Yellow Robin) at Acton, ACT - 8 Jun 2020 by Bernadette
Hydrellia sp. (genus) (Lawn or Pasture Fly) at Acton, ACT - 7 Jun 2020 by TimL
Pseudocheirus peregrinus (Common Ringtail Possum) at Acton, ACT - 29 May 2020 by Lindell
Polistes (Polistella) humilis (Common Paper Wasp) at Acton, ACT - 22 Mar 2020 by PeterA
Eutyrhinus meditabundus (Weevil) at Acton, ACT - 15 Mar 2020 by TimL
Scolypopa australis (Passionvine hopper, Fluffy bum) at Acton, ACT - 6 Mar 2020 by Illilanga
Diphucrania duodecimmaculata (12-spot jewel beetle) at Acton, ACT - 15 Feb 2020 by Harrisi
Oncopeltus (Oncopeltus) sordidus (Milk vine bug) at Acton, ACT - 15 Feb 2020 by Harrisi
Intellagama lesueurii howittii (Gippsland Water Dragon) at Acton, ACT - 12 Feb 2020 by HelenCross
Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris (Eastern Spinebill) at Acton, ACT - 8 Feb 2020 by tpreston
Diphucrania duodecimmaculata (12-spot jewel beetle) at Acton, ACT - 14 Jan 2020 by TimL
Strepera graculina (Pied Currawong) at Acton, ACT - 11 Jan 2020 by b
Mysticarion porrectus (Golden Semi-slug) at Acton, ACT - 27 Dec 2019 by Tim L
Mysticarion porrectus (Golden Semi-slug) at Acton, ACT - 27 Dec 2019 by Tim L
Lampona sp. (genus) (White-tailed spider) at Acton, ACT - 24 Dec 2019 by Christine
Dolichopodidae (family) (Unidentified Long-legged fly) at Acton, ACT - 15 Dec 2019 by AlisonMilton
Bibio imitator (Garden maggot) at Acton, ACT - 9 Dec 2019 by AlisonMilton
Porrostoma sp. (genus) (Lycid, Net-winged beetle) at Acton, ACT - 9 Dec 2019 by AlisonMilton
Rivellia connata (A signal fly) at Acton, ACT - 9 Dec 2019 by AlisonMilton
Tachinidae (family) (Unidentified Bristle fly) at Acton, ACT - 9 Dec 2019 by AlisonMilton
Graphium macleayanum (Macleay's Swallowtail) at Acton, ACT - 3 Dec 2019 by Harrisi
Taractrocera papyria (White-banded Grass-dart) at Acton, ACT - 3 Dec 2019 by Harrisi
Thomisus spectabilis (Spectacular Crab Spider) at Acton, ACT - 3 Dec 2019 by Harrisi
Ellipsidion australe (Austral Ellipsidion cockroach) at Acton, ACT - 3 Dec 2019 by Harrisi
Bembix sp. (genus) (Unidentified Bembix sand wasp) at Acton, ACT - 3 Dec 2019 by Harrisi
Nabis sp. (genus) (Damsel bug) at Acton, ACT - 2 Dec 2019 by AlisonMilton

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Location information

Sighting information

  • 4 Abundance
  • 14 Oct 2019 12:10 PM Recorded on
  • TimL Recorded by
  • Priority species lists

    ACT Most Wanted!

Additional information

  • 25mm to 50mm Animal size
  • Unknown Gender
  • Breeding behaviour Breeding behaviour

Species information

Record quality

  • Overall Fit for scientific/research use
  • Images or audio
  • More than one media file
  • Confirmed by an expert moderator
  • Nearby sighting(s) of same species
  • GPS evidence of location
  • Description
  • Additional attributes
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