Stop! Thief! Carpenter Bees are Notorious Nectar Robbers | Deep Look

With their short tongues, Valley carpenter bees can't easily drink the nectar from tubular flowers. So they use powerful mandibles to slice into the blooms and steal it. It's called nectar robbing, since the plants don't get the benefit of being pollinated by these enormous, fuzzy bees.
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DEEP LOOK is a ultra-HD (4K) short video series created by KQED San Francisco and presented by PBS Digital Studios. See the unseen at the very edge of our visible world. Explore big scientific mysteries by going incredibly small.
--
On a warm spring day in California’s Central Valley, a super fuzzy golden bee almost the size of your thumb flies in tight circles over red and white Hot lips salvia flowers. You’re witnessing the fitness display of the largest bee in the Western United States - the Valley carpenter bee (Xylocopa sonorina).
The bright golden males of this species release a pheromone as they circle around a focal point, mimicking floral odors. Researchers think that they are using the perfume-y scent to attract foraging female bees. They hope that the all-black, shiny female bees will be impressed by their dizzying acrobatic displays, and decide to choose them as a mate. These striking males are colloquially referred to as "Teddy bear bees."
Many flowering plants in California’s Central Valley produce tubular flowers which are hard to access with the bees' short tongue. Valley carpenter bees, like other types of carpenter bees, don’t have the long tongues that other local pollinators may have (like some moths, butterflies, or hummingbirds). So instead of extending their tongues down a flower to reach nectar (and in the process pick up pollen at the front of the flower), these bees steal the nectar through a backdoor. They use their powerful mandibles to bite a hole at the base of the flower and sip nectar from the side of the puncture, thus bypassing pollination. Researchers call this “nectar robbing.”
---+ Why do carpenter bees eat wood?
Carpenter bees are named for their ability to construct nests in wood - typically logs or human-made wooden structures. The bee nests are made of tunnels about ½ inch in diameter and 6 to 10 inches deep. The tunnels in a bee nest lead to several chambers, where the bees raise their young, as well as hibernate during colder months. In parts of the US, especially the Eastern US, carpenter bees are considered pests.
---+ How do carpenter bees drill holes?
The female bees use their powerful mandibles to tunnel into dead wood… like logs, or tree trunks. Mama bees then lay their eggs and provide food for the developing offspring in these chambers.
The bees may return to the same nest for generations, expanding and renovating year after year.
Carpenter bees don’t have a queen, and they aren’t as social as honeybees, but several bees may room together in a nest.
---+ Find additional resources and a transcript on KQED Science:
www.kqed.org/science/1979834/...
---+ More Great Deep Look episodes:
Watch This Bee Build Her Bee-jeweled Nest
• Watch This Bee Build H...
This Bee Builds Sandcastles at the Beach
• This Bee Builds Sandca...
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[@reionj8816]

We can learn a few things from these highly skilled carpenter bees, they are so small and can do such great things. At least their secret lives of crime benefit us and the ecosystem in some ways, it's not all bad. Thanks deeplook.💯❤👍🏻

[@KQEDDeepLook]

You are welcome, RJ!

[@smritived1398]

Thanku too from me

[@jerimiah5836]

We sure can @RJ. Love the videos @Deeplook

[@CG-jh1hu]

They indeed benefit the ecosystem, all have a purpose 😌

[@arher9598]

Thankfully they do their usual front-door pollinating in my passion fruit's flower and yellow pumpkin (this one big enough to fit in). They dont touch the flower of my eggplants, chili, and sweet potatoes though maybe cuz its too small. But That's a trigona bees job to do that anyway (the small bees as small as mosquito)

[@hikari6096]

this takes "we have come for your nectar" to a whole new level

[@Bak1922]

@El yepas Clips de shitpost kaiju universe and project kaiju Supremecy

[@Guard_shroom]

GET OUT OF MY GARDEN

[@AbsoluteEgg]

@El yepas Clips de shitpost why does that matter lol

[@darren1954]

WE HAVE COME FOR YOUR NECTAR

[@fleurala]

why did people here wake up and choose violence like cope more

[@Snipethebambi]

I cannot get over how informative and beautiful these episodes always are ! I love how intricate every bee species seems to be whether they live in colonies or not. Thank you for the amazing content .

[@KQEDDeepLook]

You are welcome - we love making them. Glad you enjoy it!

[@cealeethomas7269]

@@KQEDDeepLook I love your vids every time I see them

[@citronquartz2779]

this is why asteraecae (sunflower, goldenrod, etc.) flowers are so good for bees who don't have long tongues. they have open faces so it's easier to get the nectar. if you're trying to attract lots of different bees, make sure you have a variety of flower shapes!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Great ideas! Thumbs up 👍🏻

[@arher9598]

You are right, the carpenter bees only touch my yellow pumpkin and passion fruit flower as they are open type and big to fit in. Though they are competing with honey bees with that. As for trigona sp (the size of a mosquito bees) regulerly pollinating the small flower types like sweet potatoes, eggplants, and chili

[@chitinskin9860]

That's generally a good idea for attracting all pollinators, not just bees, flowers with open faces for example are great for all hymenopterans (and most pollinating insects honestly), while tube ones are generally best for big lepidopterans, bee flies, and hummingbirds, or anything with a long enough tongue. Make sure that the plants are native to wherever you live though, don't want to support anything invasive (yes, invasive bees do exist).

[@bustavonnutz]

Where I live in Maui, they've been flourishing because of all the Verbesina.

[@diamondwolf9256]

I see these bees a lot at my house, when the flowers are blooming. I always wondered why they stabbed the flower like that. I used to think they were bumble bees, not carpenter bees! Thanks for the informative episode Deep Look! I always love the amazing macro shots you guys can get.

[@tracybowling1156]

I second that! The close-ups are great! So interesting!

[@monsterdream14]

This take "we have come for your nectar" to another level.

[@Mr._funny2006]

finely someone seed it

[@ophshards4822]

Takes*

[@crystaliize4K]

why have I seen this exact comment but with more likes 💀 Is this yours?

[@monsterdream14]

@@crystaliize4K It was a long time ago, I think so. But maybe he just had the same idea as me since the meme « we have come for your nectar » was blowing up.

[@monsterdream14]

I just used the site Hadzy and one of the first comment (19th of July 2022 3:38 pm by Geoff Lim) was about that so we were multiple having the same idea. However I was the first saying « to another level » (19th July 2022 7:42 pm by me) while hikary published his on the 21st of July 2022 at 9:09 pm.

[@mohammedyaser1357]

Teddy bear bees are adorable 😍😍 Thank you so much for adding me in the video description! And btw you're so close to 2 million subs 🎉🎉 Edit: hey mom look i'm famous

[@KQEDDeepLook]

We agree! And you are welcome.

[@virg0_lem0nade]

oh man, this close-up footage is so beautifully shot, as always ❤️ thanks Deep Look!

[@virg0_lem0nade]

i love that the official term for it is "nectar robbing" hahaha, so cute.

[@TragoudistrosMPH]

Seeing all the local bees, and those close ups of their mandibles is so appreciated! Interesting to learn about their controversially clever lifestyle!

[@ogreenius]

I love the way the male bee's tiny feet vibrate as he hovers. Eeee! So cute. 🥰

[@obidean3964]

We can all agree that teddy bear bee is perfect name for it

[@jamiekim5243]

I’ve always thought that holes that carpenter bees make were so fascinating. Thanks for telling me even more about them. Keep up the good work

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Will do Jamie. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@violentdreams96]

Teddy bear bee is actually one of the cutest names for an insect I have ever heard.

[@terramater]

So interesting! It's impressive to see how smart and creative bees can be. Our crew documented a honeybee colony being attacked by a huge hornet, and, despite their size, they still managed to defeat it! Bees are definitely incredible!

[@arolemaprarath6615]

Luv ur channel. Please keep going. Luv ya

[@XiaoMof]

@Don Don’t be that person. No one likes that type of person. They didn’t state it entirely literally.

[@Demetrius900000]

Why do people consider insects disgusting? They are beautiful!

[@fishnuggets6624]

I am so interested in all the different and unique types of bees

[@simantakalita9061]

The narrator's voice is beautiful as always. Props to the editors for the cuts.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thank you, Simanta!

[@nkc2666]

Her wings are so pretty omg

[@wei6526]

They're very cute😍

[@lancelnce]

I can't find any insect "cute" xD

[@wei6526]

@@lancelnce 🤗🤗

[@lancelnce]

@Muzzamil Hussein nop

[@eddymontero6658]

I like #GroundBees better because they don't sting and a produce honey unlike Africanized bees and European bees which sting and produce honey. Those consider cute 💯% except carpenter bees, European bees, and Africanized bees.

[@eddymontero6658]

@@lancelnce how about snakes. I know I'm going off topic and talking about some living creature but #BarbadosThreadSnakes considered cute just because of how small, and harmless they can be 😊.

[@castleanthrax1833]

If the plants were negatively affected in a major way they will do one of two things. Die out or evolve to the extent that the flowers would shorten to allow the bees to access their nectar AND pollinate them. Nature always finds a way. 🐝🌺

[@AisuruMirai]

There's a carpenter bee nest in one of the posts above my porch. It's been there for years, with a bee hovering about and climbing in and out each year, and now I'm wondering how many generations have grown up there.

[@Psychol-Snooper]

Sit out there in the mid morning as spring warms up and you will hear them ripping your deck apart. skree skree skree skree (ad infinitum)

[@tallycat]

@@Psychol-Snooper Buy a bee hotel. Or a squarer bench you don’t mind them drilling into. Then apparently from what I’ve read if you haven’t sealed your patio, seal it. I don’t think they like the taste. That should divert their behavior but I do feel you. I’m worried ab them getting into the soffits. It’s almost impressive how much damage they can cause for such tiny guys

[@Psychol-Snooper]

@@tallycat On the shady side of the valley where I live there are homes that look like Swiss cheese. I had my deck sealed within a month of moving in, but we are in a state that only allows water based sealants. They went right back in their same holes, and through the sealant within a couple years. I've heard wind chimes aggravate them... but... they sort of aggravate me so... LOL

[@MightyMemeKing]

@@Psychol-SnooperHang up a brown plastic shopping bag that you have filled with other brown plastic shopping bags near the nest. The insects will assume it is a hornet nest and go dig their holes in somebody else's wood.

[@Formula_Zero_EX]

Bees are so cute! I want a pet bee if I could.

[@hopflyisme4877]

I really appreciate this video highlighting a bee that visits my flowering bushes. This could have been recorded in my front yard as I saw pictures of the same bush species. Thanks Deep Look!

[@mediocregamer2484]

Theyre both so pretty. The differences in color between sexes is a beautiful contrast

[@balloonga4541]

Thanks to this channel, I learned how diverse bees are. And all of them is incredible.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Great to hear! We often talk about how we could do a whole show on bees & wasps alone!

[@balloonga4541]

Today I saw carpenter bee near my workplace. She did exactly what you introduced in this video! She was stealing nectar from abelia! Thanks again for making this awesome video. Without your video, I would not know how this fascinating insect survives.

[@alexcarter8807]

I love these. It makes me want to observe every little bug, worm, etc.

[@oliverascher213]

Can we please get a a video on robberflies? They are so cool.

[@chaos3088]

I've caught a couple of carpenter bees before, other than light blue n yellow color, there's teal n purple color! They are truly beautiful insects!

[@peelzboyplays6089]

This was a fascinating and insightful episode on some of the larger bees in our world! Thank you, Deep Look ☺️

[@winningsmilefan4888]

Carpenter bee: i have come for your nectar :) Other bess: GET THE F*CK OUT OF MY NECTAR

[@yamihikarilightdark9]

I’ve seen black carpenter bees, but never seen the golden teddy bee 🥺 So cute!

[@mithunmadhukumar1931]

Beautiful video and good narration 🙂❤️... Every time u guys upload new video im excited to watch it

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thank you so much 😀

[@ManWithCrookedGlance]

*Beeautiful, bzz bzz 🐝

[@gardennormie2859]

I remember running from these when I was younger and I still do they're so loud!

[@sacramentofoodforest]

Save the right bees!! Thank you for highlighting these absolutely amazing insects

[@Theanimalfarm077]

Stunning! Such a beautiful close up as always.

[@sinephase]

idk how anyone can not think these things are cute

[@Daniel-xj4wh]

These videos and the creatures featuring in them are truly amazing. Keep doing what you're doing!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

We will Daniël !

[@stancexpunks]

Bees are AWESOME! My favorite insect! That “teddy bear” bee is SO cute! 🐝

[@callystarizka-tata7892]

Carpenter bee sip nectar from flowers. They use nectar to become honey. That's delicious😋. Thanks for making this video 👍👍👍

[@ShaudaySmith]

I could stuff about bees for hours. This is some quality content.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

We talk about how we could do a whole series just on bees.

[@pinglefaz]

Teddy bear bee Most wholesome name for a bee

[@PuppetPumm3l]

I thought the male was sooooo cute and then you said "teddy bear bee" omggggg so fitting

[@KQEDDeepLook]

These are our largest local bee by far here in our part of California, so much fun to see the males on occasion.

[@ryomahoffman6803]

Bees are a wonderful example of evolution, there’s so many unique adaptations specific to specific species of bees.

[@ZombieB]

I love that insect in fact I'm fascinated, always wondering how come tis fatty bee flies with tiny wings... Nice video.

[@kawaiialpaca1058]

Can we all just appreciate all of the work they put into their videos? Like they actually do a lot of stuff in their studios and go out and FIND these animals in a place where they can record them?!

[@NoManOdysseus]

"Gimme your nectar!" >Only if you take my pollen too~ [Bee takes out switchblade] "I wasn't asking."

[@mixnmatchflavourbleach2313]

Maybe if those darn flowers weren't only meant for long tongues! Bees just gotta adapt, improvise, overcome

[@whiitepony]

wow these bees are cute, wouldnt be scared if i saw them

[@yesyoucanTellme]

un - bee - lievably crafty

[@owo4470]

They look adorable

[@KQEDDeepLook]

They are adorable! And apparently, the males smell really, really nice.

[@NILOREOOUROBOREOS]

"We have come for your nectar!" The flower: " "

[@Kawaiicutiebaby]

Lovely 🥰 👏🏾 thank you so much these videos 🤩 these bee’s are so cute 😍

[@KQEDDeepLook]

You’re welcome 😊

[@aqueousthalasso1704]

That Bee is more buff than me

[@bari2883]

What great footage of the close ups. Deep look always impresses.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thanks Ba Ri!

[@aliboriso]

That's why they are my favs

[@anibelle6465]

So sweet and charming the way the animals actions are described, Wonderful narrating !🐸

[@TheSirZparity]

Nectar thief? The spongebees won't like this one bit.

[@southkoreamountaincountryl1839]

They came for your nectar, our nectar at this point.

[@klarissajonagadori3608]

Awww I love bees they so are cute to watch 😊

[@randomthoughts7597]

Deep look- teaches me more than school. Also I swear the narrator's voice is so soothing.

[@roku3216]

I knew one of these in Phoenix, in her pecan tree trunk home. She was a pleasant neighbor.

[@ronioclarenzo6137]

Fantastic video! It got me all buzzing with joy and excitement!

[@prismatica8416]

I'm really hoping for an episode on bumble bees. I love those guys

[@nikolaostsoulos9498]

This is better than therapy

[@gzngahrofthenorth]

This bee appears to be the superior authority of the nectar, making it a conqueror not a thief.

[@jakevote8978]

Now this is the kind of content I come to KZbin for

[@nlhernandez39]

Those golden bees smell like flowers. I've caught them before when I was younger

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thanks for verifying!

[@christophergarcia4117]

I can’t ever get enough of these vids! More please, MORE!!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

We will make more, I promise!

[@AxelLeJeff]

Once a female carpenter bee attacked me by headbutting my chest, it was like being hit by an oversized airsoft bb.

[@whiqeddik7615]

God that/this is so beautiful, thank y'all for your work, me and my nephew love it, and I like to believe it plants good seeds in fertile minds

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thank you!

[@randomperson8663]

Nature is fantastic and beautiful ❤️❤️👏👏👍👍

[@Strawberrygremlins]

Man they are so cute, it's barely legal to be this cute as an insect

[@BarnabyJones07]

2:03 bro, give them some privacy

[@MF99K]

Hummingbirds do this as well for certain flowers

[@NewMessage]

Surely, a Carpenter should 'nail' the flower, not stab it!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

*Doh* why didn't we think of that??

[@Tinythingsinnature]

Beautiful video and narration 😍👌..... thank for this great video and helpful information

[@arcanejack]

"We have come for your nectar!"

[@on-lh5xl]

narration and the story telling are on point ❤‍🔥

[@ace-paidinfull5240]

I guess if plan A didn’t work for her, then plan Bee surely would lol

[@KQEDDeepLook]

I see what you did there

[@ace-paidinfull5240]

@@KQEDDeepLook 😉

[@kimbratton9620]

What an amazing bee😃! How about a video on the golden Scarab or golden praying mantis?

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Scarabs could be interesting for sure - I'm not sure we've considered those, Kim.

[@kimbratton9620]

@@KQEDDeepLook well if a video like that comes up about either critter I'll be sure to watch it!😁

[@spazmaster1996]

I literally did a summer research project on this at university! We started the week not even knowing that nectar robbing was a thing but, as the week progressed, we had discovered this whole phenomenon (including the other bee species taking advantage of the carpenter bees previous handy work). This video brought back some happy memories, thank you!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Wonderful, Liam! Thanks for sharing about your research. Any surprises?

[@spazmaster1996]

One of us found out that carpenter bees do in fact sting and that it is a lot more painful than a normal bee sting haha!

[@trollanlord85]

That's not a teddy bear bee, that's a grizzly bear

[@oneshotme]

Enjoyed your video and I gave it a Thumbs Up as always

[@richardc6269]

U really are a pleasure to listen to. Gr8 story too!! Thank ya kindly🤓🤙✌

[@monaflipas1624]

You should do Cicada Killer bees. We had some digging in our front walkway and they are scary looking but relatively gentle

[@justcallmejoe9270]

Seems less like "robbery" and more like an evolutionary pressure on the flowers to not be inaccessible

[@satriyow.asmorojati4147]

i love your videos, keep it up DeepLook!

[@unknown-fs9ro]

Can you make more Hornets video

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Good idea! We haven't made one on hornets yet.

[@araay1022]

We have come for your nectar moment

[@pocket3216]

We have come for your nectar.

[@tracybowling1156]

Yeah, they're smart little buggers!

[@timboffm595]

"Coming throught the front door like respectful visitors" 😳😳

[@scottpitner4298]

Fantastic footage and visuals !

[@lionelbanin]

This channel is breathtakingly amazing!!!!

[@bdotashu]

Backdoor, Frontdoor, Respectful visitors?! My mind's too corrupted for this video... so are those bees!

[@killapicklepiratepanda7373]

Hey can I borrow a cup of nectar? No,Well I'll just steal it then

[@_reb0og]

i keep thinking “we have come for your nectar” every time i hear the word nectar

[@crazeeborg]

This vid had me buzzing with excitement. Two things Carpenter Bees and Wood peckers have in common: Woodpeckers use the holes tunneled by Carpenter bees.

[@SamanthaEdgell]

Carpenter bees are my fav