This friendly and very big bee is the largest in Japan. The Carpenter Bee is a solitary bee and likes to make it's small nests for raising larva in wood such as fence posts, or fallen logs. Do not confuse it with the Giant Asian Hornet, which is slightly larger and much sleeker in appearance, unlike this Teddy Bear of a bee.
They don't hover to feed like the recent hawkmoths that I posted last week. Rather, they grab on to the flower, and their weight pulls the blossom towards the ground!
They're quite good pollinators I think, basically giant flying brushes!
As I wrote above, they are quite large and buzz rather loudly as they fly and this can be intimidating, but they lack stingers. They can however bite, which I imagine would be quite strong as they use those same jaws to excavate their nests from wood. Though, as long as you don't pick it up and hold in your hands, you'll be fine! :P
I hope you enjoyed the photos of this lovely, big bee!
