Xylocopa aerataMale Xylocopa aerata Xylocopa aeratus Pollinator The Assassin

Photographs by Marc Newman

Sexual colour dimorphism is evident between the male and female Xylocopa (Lestis) aeratus (Metallic Green Carpenter Bee), with the male of the species having the appearance of gold and green, whilst the female are more metallic green all over, making it easier to tell them apart.

Xylocopa (Lestis) aeratus male © Marc Newman
Xylocopa (Lestis) aeratus male © Marc Newman

The male Xylocopa aeratus are similar to Xylocopa bombylans, however the males between the two species have different face colours. Xylocopa aeratus have yellow colour face markings, whilst Xylocopa bombylans have white face markings.

Xylocopa (Lestis) aeratus male, Ballandean, QLD © Marc Newman
Xylocopa (Lestis) aeratus male, Ballandean, QLD © Marc Newman
Xylocopa (Lestis) aeratus male, Ballandean, QLD © Marc Newman
Xylocopa (Lestis) aeratus male. It shows the yellow colour of the face markings which distinguishes it from X.bombylans which has white, Ballandean, QLD © Marc Newman

The pristine condition of the wings of this male Xylocopa (Lestis) aeratus is an indication that this may be a newly emerged male.

Male Xylocopa (Lestis) aeratus, Ballandean, QLD © Marc Newman
Male Xylocopa (Lestis) aeratus, Ballandean, QLD © Marc Newman
Male Xylocopa (Lestis) aeratus, Ballandean, QLD © Marc Newman
Male Xylocopa (Lestis) aeratus, Ballandean, QLD © Marc Newman
Male Xylocopa (Lestis) aeratus © Marc Newman
Male Xylocopa (Lestis) aeratus © Marc Newman

  • Scientific classification
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Arthropoda
  • Class: Insecta
  • Informal: Pterygotes
  • Order: Hymenoptera
  • Superfamily: Apoidea
  • Informal: Apiformes
  • Family: Apidae
  • Subfamily: Xylocopinae
  • Tribe: Xylocopini
  • Genus: Xylocopa
  • Subgenus: infrageneric Lestis
  • Species: Xylocopa aerata
Xylocopa (Lestis) aeratus male © Marc Newman
Xylocopa (Lestis) aeratus male © Marc Newman

Footnote & References

  1. Photographs Xylocopa (Lestis) aeratus © Marc Newman, Flickr

Xylocopa aerataMale Xylocopa aerata Xylocopa aeratus Pollinator The Assassin

XylocopaXylocopa aerata Xylocopa bombylans

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