All large carpenterbees live in dead plant material, like wood. The reed large carpenterbee is unique in South Africa because instead of boring its whole nest into dead wood, it nests in reeds and only bores an entrance hole into a reed and occupies the hollow stem. They occur throughout South Africa but are more common in dry areas where there are more dead reeds. Females are bright yellow and black and males are dusty yellow. Read Bee of the Week
