For a long time, I’ve dreamed of seeing a carpenter bee in the wild — one of those impressive “black bees” with shimmering violet wings. It still hasn’t happened for me, but I imagine that moment as pure joy. It makes me genuinely happy how much bees continue to excite me: even the thought of encountering this magnificent species instantly lifts my mood.

Recently, Polish media echoed with headlines like “The black bee has returned!”. On one hand, I’m delighted that people talk about these insects with such enthusiasm — even sensationalism. Yet the truth is that this bee actually returned several years ago. Still, I’d much rather see the media celebrate wild bees than ignore them, so every such mention makes me happy. More and more people are beginning to understand that bees are not only honey bees in hives, but thousands of wild species that play essential roles in our ecosystems.

I also wanted to write about what is really happening with these “returns” and why we are seeing carpenter bees more often again. My article is based on the scientifically grounded knowledge of dr Justyna Kierat, a biologist I deeply admire and with whom I love consulting my encounters with wild bees and pollinators. Her writing on this topic is especially clear, accessible, and valuable.

Carpenter bees in Europe — two species, one iconic look

Photos by Dariusz Wierzchowski, taken in Žanjice, on the Luštica Peninsula in Montenegro, show a bee from the subfamily Xylocopinae, most likely the Violet Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa violacea) or the European Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa valga).

These two species are often confused with one another, and understandably so: both are large, dark, charismatic bees with wings that shimmer violet or blue depending on the angle of light.

Xylocopa violacea – The Violet Carpenter Bee

• One of Europe’s largest bees

• Wings with a characteristic violet sheen

• Nests carved into dead or soft wood

• Gentle and non-aggressive

Xylocopa valga – The European Carpenter Bee

• Similar in size, often slightly darker

• Also nests in dead wood

• Historically rarer, now increasingly observed

Both species are harmless despite their impressive appearance.

Are carpenter bees found in Switzerland?

Yes — Xylocopa violacea is confirmed in Switzerland.
According to Swiss biodiversity sources, it occurs mainly in warm, low-altitude regions, where dead wood suitable for nesting is available. Some Swiss records also list Xylocopa valga and Xylocopa iris, though these are less common and more regionally restricted.

This means that encountering a carpenter bee in Switzerland is entirely possible — especially in warmer valleys and areas rich in old orchards, gardens, or wooden structures.

The carpenter bees photographed for this article belong to a genus with a very broad global range.

Xylocopa violacea occurs in:

• Europe (including Switzerland, Poland, Germany, France, Italy, Balkans)

• Asia (Near East, Middle East, up to western China)

• North Africa

Xylocopa valga occurs in:

• Central, Southern, and Eastern Europe

• Central Asia

• The Middle East

Both species prefer:

• warm climates

• flower-rich habitats

• old orchards, parks, gardens

• areas with plenty of dead wood

Carpenter bees are particularly abundant in southern Europe, where the Mediterranean climate provides ideal nesting and foraging conditions.

Why did carpenter bees “return to Poland”?

According to dr Justyna Kierat and other entomologists, the reappearance of these bees is not sudden. It is linked to:

• Climate warming, enabling expansion northwards

• Milder winters, which help them survive

• More suitable habitats, especially in gardens rich in flowering plants

• Greater public awareness, meaning people now recognize them more often

The “comeback” is partly a media construct, but one that ultimately helps build appreciation for wild bees.

The beauty and importance of carpenter bees

Carpenter bees are solitary — they do not live in colonies or produce honey. Each female creates her own nest inside dead wood. Their presence is a sign of a diverse and healthy ecosystem.

They are exceptional pollinators of plants such as:

• lavender

• sage

• rosemary

• wisteria

• flowering shrubs

• fruit trees

Large, buzzing, shimmering — yet gentle. A treasure of European biodiversity.

I hope to meet one someday. When I finally do, I know I’ll hold my breath — not in fear, but in pure admiration.

Primary expert sources:

• Dr Justyna Kierat — “Zadrzechnie: jeden rodzaj, dwa gatunki”

• RMF FM — “Czarna pszczoła wywołała sensację. Ekspertka zwraca uwagę na pewien problem”

Distribution & biology sources:

• Biocommunication.org — Violet Carpenter Bee in Switzerland

• Totholz WSL (Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research) — species profile for Xylocopa violacea

• Nos Voisins Sauvages – Abeille charpentière (Swiss species atlas)

• Markeisingbirding.com — field observations of carpenter bees